Etiology of positional plagiocephaly in triplets and treatment using a dynamic orthotic cranioplasty device

Abstract

In 1994 a set of triplets presented to the authors for treatment of their positional plagiocephaly with Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC™). The three 8-month-old infants were diagnosed with severe, moderate, and mild plagiocephaly. Only the severe and moderate cases were treated with the DOC band. The mild case was not treated with the DOC band because it was thought that the condition could be addressed through alteration in the child's sleeping position. The child with severe deformation required 8.5 months of treatment with two DOC bands and had significant residual asymmetries at the end of the treatment course. The child with moderate deformity required 2.5 months of treatment with only one DOC band and had excellent correction of the initial asymmetries. The results of their treatment provide a unique forum for discussing the etiology of positional plagiocephaly, as well as those factors that can influence the efficacy of DOC treatment.