title: Deformational posterior plagiocephaly: diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of helmet therapy (DOC band) in the correction of patients with moderate to severe posterior deformational plagiocephaly.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, the infants were evaluated using 18 anthropometric measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of 248 patients seen between August 1, 1995, and July 31, 1999, were reviewed, and 125 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. All the patients had posterior deformational plagiocephaly with no other craniofacial deformities or medical conditions. Treatment was instituted prior to 1 year of age, and all patients were compliant with DOC band usage and had complete anthropometric measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study recorded a 41.56% (p < .001) reduction in cranial vault asymmetry and a 40.23% (p <.001) reduction in cranial base asymmetry. Orbitotragial asymmetry was improved 18.72% (p = .0738). The age at which treatment was begun was not a significant factor in predicting treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Teichgraeber
authors.forename: Jeffrey K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ault
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Messersmith
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gateño
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bravenec
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D009915:Orbit / Q000473:pathology; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015050:Zygoma / Q000473:pathology