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Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McCarty, DB; Peat, JR; Malcolm, WF; Smith, PB; Fisher, K; Goldstein, RF
Published in: Am J Perinatol
March 2017

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine when dolichocephaly develops in preterm infants, to establish factors that contribute to its development, and to determine its association with adverse motor outcomes. Study Design This study was a retrospective review of data collected from preterm infants born at < 32 weeks' gestation. The cranial index was measured by a physical therapist (PT) at three time points during hospitalization. Demographic data, neonatal morbidities, and motor outcomes at outpatient follow-up were collected. Results Overall, 54% of infants developed dolichocephaly during hospitalization. The presence of dolichocephaly was highest in infants between 32 and 34 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) (39%). Birth weight, gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage were not associated with dolichocephaly. Infants with dolichocephaly at 32 to 34 weeks' PMA were more likely to either be receiving PT services or be referred to PT services by outpatient follow-up (p = 0.05). Conclusion The presence of dolichocephaly was highest in infants between 32 and 34 weeks' PMA and was associated with increased need for PT services in early infancy. Findings support early developmental intervention at < 32 weeks' PMA to prevent and/or treat cranial molding deformity and improve early motor outcomes.

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Published In

Am J Perinatol

DOI

EISSN

1098-8785

Publication Date

March 2017

Volume

34

Issue

4

Start / End Page

372 / 378

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Prevalence
  • Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Patient Positioning
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Motor Skills Disorders
  • Male
  • Infant, Premature
 

Citation

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McCarty, D. B., Peat, J. R., Malcolm, W. F., Smith, P. B., Fisher, K., & Goldstein, R. F. (2017). Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes. Am J Perinatol, 34(4), 372–378. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1592128
McCarty, Dana B., Jennifer R. Peat, William F. Malcolm, P Brian Smith, Kimberley Fisher, and Ricki F. Goldstein. “Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes.Am J Perinatol 34, no. 4 (March 2017): 372–78. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1592128.
McCarty DB, Peat JR, Malcolm WF, Smith PB, Fisher K, Goldstein RF. Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes. Am J Perinatol. 2017 Mar;34(4):372–8.
McCarty, Dana B., et al. “Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes.Am J Perinatol, vol. 34, no. 4, Mar. 2017, pp. 372–78. Pubmed, doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592128.
McCarty DB, Peat JR, Malcolm WF, Smith PB, Fisher K, Goldstein RF. Dolichocephaly in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Early Motor Outcomes. Am J Perinatol. 2017 Mar;34(4):372–378.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Perinatol

DOI

EISSN

1098-8785

Publication Date

March 2017

Volume

34

Issue

4

Start / End Page

372 / 378

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Prevalence
  • Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Patient Positioning
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Motor Skills Disorders
  • Male
  • Infant, Premature