Does a Childs Flat Head (Plagiocephaly) Correlate with Learning Issues?

We recently started talking about positional plagiocephaly, and how one of the common causes involved was a restriction in range of motion in the neck that can be caused by a number of different factors. These are usually mechanical in nature, inter-uterine, at birth or postnatally. (1-3)
 
While there is little argument for the benefits of the involvement of physical therapy in the outcomes for plagiocephaly, one of the lesser explored complications of plagiocephaly is the potential for developmental delays.
 
The research is talking about a correlation between positional plagiocephaly and motor function, neurodevelopment, language and cognition. They are also highlighting the connection between the severity of the plagiocephaly and risk of developmental delays. (4-6) What all this means Is essentially that the palgiocephaly or flat heat In the past was seen as mostly a cosmetic or appearance issue, now research is showing correlations with all types of development mentioned above.
 
Again, like we showed in the last blog, the integration of physical therapy, like chiropractic, into the management of plagiocephaly is prudent, especially where there is restriction in range of motion and joint dysfunction identified. (1-3)
 
 

1. Ellwood, J., Draper-Rodi, J., & Carnes, D. (2020). The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: a synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 28(1), 1-11.
2. Marshall, J. M., & Shahzad, F. (2020). Safe sleep, plagiocephaly, and brachycephaly: assessment, risks, treatment, and when to refer. Pediatric annals, 49(10), e440-e447.
3. Pastor-Pons, I., Hidalgo-García, C., Lucha-López, M. O., Barrau-Lalmolda, M., Rodes-Pastor, I., Rodríguez-Fernández, Á. L., & Tricás-Moreno, J. M. (2021). Effectiveness of pediatric integrative manual therapy in cervical movement limitation in infants with positional plagiocephaly: a randomized controlled trial. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 47(1), 1-12.
4. Rohde, J. F., Goyal, N. K., Slovin, S. R., Hossain, J., Pachter, L. M., & Di Guglielmo, M. D. (2021). Association of Positional Plagiocephaly and Developmental Delay Within a Primary Care Network. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 42(2), 128-134.
5. Kim, D. H., & Kwon, D. R. (2020). Neurodevelopmental delay according to severity of deformational plagiocephaly in children. Medicine, 99(28). 
6. Collett, B. R., Kartin, D., Wallace, E. R., Cunningham, M. L., & Speltz, M. L. (2020). Motor function in school-aged children with positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 32(2), 107-112.