References About Positional Plagiocephaly
View and obtain information about our comprehensive list of all research articles related to the subject of positional plagiocephaly.

A Study of Family Head Shape: Environment Alters Cranial Shape
This study compares infant head shapes against head shapes of their biologic parents to explore the roles heredity and environment on cranial shape. Jeanne K Pomatto, Jennifer Calcaterra, Kevin M Kelly, Stephen P Beals, Kim H Manwaring, Timothy R Littlefield Clinic Pediatrics January/February 2006; Volume 45. (pdf file)

Car Seats, Infant Carriers, and Swings: Their Role in Deformational Plagiocephaly
This study demonstrates the association of extended use of car seats, carriers, and swings and the development of deformational plagiocephaly. Littlefield TR, Kelly KM, Reiff JL, Pomatto JK; Journal of Prothestics and Orthotics July 2003; 15:3; 102-106. (pdf file)

Is One Twin at Greater Risk?
This study confirmed that the infant carried lower in the uterus was at greater risk for both plagiocephaly and torticollis. Littlefield TR, Kelly KM,Pomatto JK, Beals SP; Pediatrics 2002; 109: 19-25.
(pdf file)
News Release from AAP (online link)

Diagnosis and Management of Positional Plagiocephaly
A great A-Z summary of plagiocephaly, what causes it and treatment options. Written in lay terms with some wonderful handouts for repositioning and neck stretching exercises. Littlefield TR, Reiff JL, Rekate, HL. BNI 2001; 17: 18-25. (pdf file)

Preliminary Results and New Treatment Protocol for Cranial Banding Following Endoscopic-Assisted Craniectomy for Sagittal Synostosis This study describes how the DOC Band^® is used after endoscopic surgery for sagittal synostosis. Pomatto JK, Beals SP, Joganic EF, Moss SD, Kelly KM, Littlefield TR (2001). Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery; pp:47-49 (pdf file)

Food and Drug Administration Regulation of Orthotic Cranioplasty. Information regarding the current federal regulation of cranial orthotics used in the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly. Littlefield TR; Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2001; 38: 337-340 (pdf file)

Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty: Treatment of the 'older' infant. Report of four cases. This study documents that even though early intervention is best, treatment can still be successful even if the child is older than 12 months of age. Littlefield TR, Pomatto JK, Kelly KM. Neurosurg Focus 9(3): Article 5, 2000.(on-line link)

Cranial Growth Unrestricted During DOC Treatment of Plagiocephaly. This study demonstrates that infants follow the normal growth curves with respect to head circumference, length and width during the course of treatment. Littlefield TR, Kelly KM, Pomatto JK, Manwaring KH, Beals SP, Joganic EF (1999). Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery; pp:21-23. (pdf file)

Importance of early recognition and treatment of deformational plagiocephaly with orthotic cranioplasty. This study emphasizes the importance of early recognition and treatment in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Kelly KM, Littlefield TR, Pomatto JK, Ripley CE, Beals SP, and Joganic EF; Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 1999; 36: 127-30.(pdf file)

Multiple-birth infants at higher risk for development of deformational plagiocephaly. This study confirmed that multiple-birth infants are at greater risk for developing plagiocephaly. Littlefield TR, Kelly KM,Pomatto JK, and Beals SP; Pediatrics 1999; 103: 565-69.(pdf file)

Cranial Growth Unrestricted during Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly. This study demonstrates that infants follow the normal growth curves with respect to head circumference, length and width during the course of treatment.. Kelly KM, Littlefield TR, Pomatto JK, Manwaring, KH and Beals SP; Pediatric Neurosurg 1999; BO: 193-199.(pdf file)

Sternocleidomastoid Imbalance Versus Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Their Relationship to Positional Plagiocephaly. This study discusses the possibility of an SCM muscle imbalance rather than an SCM mass or restriction as commonly reported in torticollis. Golden KA, Beals SP, Littlefield TR, and Pomatto JK; Cleft Palate Craniofac J 1999; 36: 256-261. (pdf file)

U.S. FDA Regulation of Orthotic Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly. A concise summary of the history of FDA regulation of the cranial orthosis. Littlefield TR, Dunning HN (1999). Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery; pp:223-225. (pdf file)

Section 207: Is Your Class III Designation Really Final?
This article discusses how the DOC Band^® was the first medical device to be approved by FDA legislation passed in the 1997 FDA Modernization Act. Littlefield TR, Dunning HN Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine (MDDI), January, 1999 (on-line link)

FDA Final Rule on the Classification of Cranial Orthosis
This is the FDA's clearance of the DOC Band^® for market, which established an entire new device category known as the "Cranial Orthosis". from the Federal Register, July 30, 1998

Treatment of Craniofacial Asymmetry with Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty . Eight-year investigation that demonstrated the effectiveness of the DOC Band^® for treatment of positional plagiocephaly. Littlefield TR, Beals SP, Manwaring KH, Pomatto JK, Joganic EF, Golden KA, Ripley CE J Craniofac Surg 1998; 9: 11-17. (pdf file)

Efficacy and Stability of Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty: An Eight Year Investigation . This study demonstrates that not only is the DOC Band^® effective, but that the results remain stable once an infant has left treatment. Littlefield TR, Pomatto JK, Beals SP, Manwaring KH, Joganic EF, Ripley CE (1997). Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery; pp:109-111. (pdf file)

Etiology of positional plagiocephaly in triplets and treatment with a dynamic orthotic cranioplasty device: Report of 3 cases This is a case report on a set of triplets treated with the DOC Band^®. Pomatto JK, Littlefield TR, Manwaring KH, Beals SP from Neurosurgery Focus, 2(2): Article 2, 1997(on-line link)

Enhancement of Craniofacial Reconstruction by Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty. This is an excellent study that describes how the DOC Band^® is used post-surgically to provide stability and enhance surgical results. Joganic EF, Beals SP, Ripley CE, Pomatto JK, Manwaring KH, Moss SD (1995) Proceedings of the 6th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, pp:151-153. (pdf file)

Treatment of Positional Plagiocephaly with Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty. This is the first article demonstrating the effectiveness of the DOC Band^® in treating plagiocephaly using anthropometric measurements. Ripley CE, Pomatto JK, Beals SP, Joganic EF, Manwaring KH, Moss SD; J Craniofac Surg 1994; 5: 150-159. (pdf file)

Treatment of Positional Plagiocephaly Utilizing the Cranial Remodeling Orthosis [Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (D.O.C.)] Introduces the DOC Band^® as a viable option for treatment of positional plagiocephaly. Ripley CE, Pomatto JK, Beals SP, Manwaring KH, Joganic EF, Moss DS(1994). Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery; pp:111-114 (pdf file)