Brain Characteristics Noted Prior to and Following Cranial Orthotic Treatment.

This case report aims to assess a potential association between cranial asymmetry, brain deformation, and associated developmental delay. Two infants born at ≥37 weeks pursuing cranial orthotic treatment for severe Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP) (cranial vault asymmetry index >8.75%) underwent developmental assessment using Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and non-sedated brain structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to and following cranial orthotic treatment. In both infants with DP, tractography results revealed alterations in the white matter pathways of the brain. Both infants also had low to low/normal visual receptivity and fine motor skills. After cranial orthotic treatment, cranial asymmetry improved but did not completely resolve, tractography demonstrated a change toward normalized white matter pathways, and visual receptivity and fine motor skills improved. These preliminary findings suggest a potential link between DP, altered brain structures, and developmental assessment. Further investigation with a larger sample is warranted.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2020.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr. DeGrazia is the inventor of a novel device to prevent deformational plagiocephaly in premature infants. Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) and Plagio LLC partially funded past research conducted by Dr. DeGrazia for studies examining deformational plagiocephaly prevention devices, including the device she invented. Plagio LLC in coordination with her employer BCH filed a patent for the device invented by Dr. DeGrazia. Plagio LLC is an affiliate of Boston Brace where subjects received treatment during the study and where some data was collected. Dr. DeGrazia, Plagio LLC and BCH may one day receive royalties for sale of the device by Dandle Lion Medical. Dr. DeGrazia served as an unpaid consultant for Dandle Lion Medical. As of June 2020 Dr. DeGrazia received Plagio LLC shares in the amount of 10%. However, Dr. DeGrazia’s device for which she may one day receive royalties was not used in this research. Dr. Banu Ahtam does not have any declarations to report. Dr. Carolyn R. Rogers-Vizena does not have any declarations to report. Dr. Mark Proctor does not have any declarations to report. Ms. Courtney Porter does not have any declarations to report. Ms. Rutvi Vyas does not have any declarations to report. Dr. Cynthia T. Laurentys does not have any declarations to report. Ms. Emily Bergling does not have any declarations to report. Dr. Kara McLaughlin does not have any declarations to report. Dr. Patricia Ellen Grant does not have any declarations to report.