Use of the Cranial Cup to Correct Positional Head Shape Deformities in Hospitalized Premature Infants.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the cranial cup for the correction of visible head shape deformities in premature infants.

DESIGN

A prospective descriptive research design.

SETTING

Two study sites, an urban Level 4 NICU and a suburban Level 2 special care nursery.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample consisted of 23 neonates and infants with deformational plagiocephaly who were born at less than or equal to 35 weeks gestation, weighed greater than 1 kg, and were in the convalescent phase (stable) of their hospitalizations.

METHODS

All participants received the experimental treatment with the cranial cup. Infants were positioned on the cranial cup for a minimum of 12 hours per day. They also received routine position changes at least every 3 to 4 hours. Demographic data and baseline and discharge cranial measurements were obtained for each infant.

RESULTS

All participants (N = 23) had visible deformational plagiocephaly on study entry, and 86% (n = 19) had corresponding abnormal cranial measurements. The median hours per day on the cranial cup was 12.7 (range = 6.3 to 18.0). At hospital discharge, 83% (n = 19) of participants had normal cranial measurements. Furthermore, there were no reported safety concerns associated with use of the cranial cup.

CONCLUSION

Use of the cranial cup during the convalescent phase of hospitalization is feasible and safe, and it provides effective correction of DP for premature neonates and infants.