Outcome of Therapies for Positional Plagiocephaly in Children

Outcome after Surgery

• Not available: As surgery for treatment of positional plagiocephaly has only rarely been reported, outcomes in the few reported cases are not relevant.

Outcome after Nonsurgical Treatments

• Most document improvement: Most studies show improved head shape with molding helmets (47). 
• Only 2.4–3.3% residual by 3 years of age: Outcome after repositioning therapy or cranial orthotic treatment for positional plagiocephaly is excellent in general. It has been estimated that 25% of children with positional plagiocephaly at 6 months of age had residual flattening at 2–3 years of age, with an overall prevalence of 2.4% at 3 years (7). Others have estimated an overall prevalence of residual plagiocephaly of 3.3% at 2 years of age (18). 
• Do not delay intervention: Intervention should be started prior to positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly progressing to a severe classification (22).