Congenital Head and Neck Asymmetry Is Common and Often Unrecognized

Infants with congenital asymmetries might be at increased risk for developing secondary posterior plagiocephaly.

The Back to Sleep campaign encourages the supine sleep position during infancy, but this practice might be associated with an increasing incidence of posterior cranial deformations. To examine the incidence of and characteristics associated with congenital cranial deformation, investigators prospectively examined neck range of motion and torticollis, plagiocephaly, and facial asymmetry (by photographic analysis) in 102 healthy newborns.

Overall, 92% of babies were in the vertex position in utero, 73% were delivered vaginally, and 10% experienced birth trauma. Nearly all babies were described as active, although 36% were described as “stuck” or in the same position during the third trimester. Seventy-three percent of newborns had at least one…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Congenital Head and Neck Asymmetry Is Common and Often Unrecognized

Topics

Reviewing Author