Feed and Swaddle: An Alternative to Infant Sedation for Craniofacial Imaging.

OBJECTIVE

The gold standard for diagnosis of craniosynostosis is a clinical examination and motionless head computed tomography (CT). Computed tomography sedation is associated with increased cost, resource utilization, medical, and possible developmental risks. This study investigates whether a "feed and swaddle" protocol can be used to achieve diagnostic quality craniofacial imaging without the use of infant sedation.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center.

PATIENTS: Ninety patients <18 months of age undergoing evaluation for craniosynostosis from 2012 to 2018.

INTERVENTIONS: A feed and swaddle protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnostic level imaging without the use of infant sedation.

RESULTS

Eighty-five (94%) achieved a diagnostic quality craniofacial CT scan using the "feed and swaddle" method. Mean patient age was 24.0 ± 10.0 weeks. Craniosynostosis was diagnosed in 74% of patients. Mean age of patients with successful completion of a CT scan was 23.7 ± 9.6 weeks, compared to 27.2 ± 17.1 weeks for unsuccessful completion. Mean weight for the successful group was 15.6 ± 2.9 pounds and 15.9 ± 2.5 pounds for the unsuccessful group. Mean travel distance was 59.2 ± 66.5 miles for successful patients and 66.5 ± 61.5 miles for unsuccessful patients. For the unsuccessful patients, there were no delays in surgical planning or scheduling.

CONCLUSION

The "feed and swaddle" protocol described here is an effective alternative to infant sedation for motionless craniofacial CT imaging.