{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T19:28:19Z","timestamp":1790710099625,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":51,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]],"date-time":"2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1753920000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Pediatr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title><jats:p>Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP) is the most common cranial deformity in infants. It may be treated using molding cranial helmet therapy (CHT) or active counter-positioning (ACP). Molding CHT has proven to be highly effective, especially in moderate to severe cases. Although many studies have explored this topic, few have investigated the use of 3D-printed CHT. This method may offer greater accuracy and convenience in measurement compared to traditional helmet types. Furthermore, no studies on this subject have been conducted in the Middle East.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Study design<\/jats:title><jats:p>A retrospective study design.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>Electronic medical records from the only medical center fitting infants with 3D-printed CHT were reviewed. Infants diagnosed with DP who were fitted with and completed treatment using 3D-printed CHT were included. Infants who received 3D-printed CHT for other cranial deformities were excluded. Descriptive statistics (mean\u2009\u00b1\u2009SD) were used to present results related to Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and participants' characteristics. A Linear Mixed Model was used to assess changes in CVAI over time, accounting for age, gender, and treatment duration. Model assumptions were tested, and findings were validated using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Records of eleven infants diagnosed with DP were included, eight boys and three girls. A significant reduction in CVAI was reported in all cases. No significant correlation was found between CVAI improvement and gender, age, or treatment duration.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>Following treatment with customized 3D-printed CHT, infants in the study demonstrated significant improvement in the CVAI. The helmets effectively guided cranial growth toward the flattened area, aiding in the correction of the deformity. Although 3D-printed CHT showed results comparable to traditional molding CHT, it offers potential advantages such as increased measurement accuracy through 3D scanning, easier monitoring of progress, and reduced cost and time associated with fabrication through 3D printing.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fped.2025.1638581","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]],"date-time":"2025-07-31T05:37:42Z","timestamp":1753940262000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["3D-printed cranial helmet therapy for the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Huthaifa","family":"Atallah","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rabee","family":"Naeem","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Raghad","family":"Albeetar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Titeana","family":"Qufabz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mahmoud","family":"AlFatafta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amneh","family":"Alshawabka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anas S.","family":"Said","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anthony","family":"McGarry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Evelin","family":"Derk\u00e1cs","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dorottya","family":"Varga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"B\u00e1lint","family":"Molics","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1492","DOI":"10.1097\/00006534-200111000-00007","article-title":"Neurodevelopment in children with single-suture craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly without synostosis","volume":"108","author":"Panchal","year":"2001","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2135","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-024-06370-3","article-title":"Helmet therapy efficacy and its prediction in Japanese infants with positional plagio-and brachycephaly","volume":"40","author":"Aihara","year":"2024","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.7181\/acfs.2020.00059","article-title":"Diagnosis and treatment of positional plagiocephaly","volume":"21","author":"Jung","year":"2020","journal-title":"Arch Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"970","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2003-0668-F","article-title":"Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly in the first two years of life: a prospective cohort study","volume":"114","author":"Hutchison","year":"2004","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1808","DOI":"10.1097\/SCS.0000000000001948","article-title":"Assessment of head shape by craniofacial teams: structuring practice parameters to optimize efficiency","volume":"26","author":"Purnell","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1120","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.89.6.1120","article-title":"Positioning and SIDS","volume":"89","author":"Kattwinkel","year":"1992","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.5035\/nishiseisai.29.197","article-title":"Handlings of infants with oblique posture","volume":"29","author":"Kawaguchi","year":"1980","journal-title":"Orthop Traumatol"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e408","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2006-2012","article-title":"Risk factors for deformational plagiocephaly at birth and at 7 weeks of age: a prospective cohort study","volume":"119","author":"van Vlimmeren","year":"2007","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1097\/00001665-199601000-00005","article-title":"An increase in infant cranial deformity with supine sleeping position","volume":"7","author":"Argenta","year":"1996","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"173","DOI":"10.1016\/S0891-5245(99)90036-6","article-title":"Infant cranial molding deformation and sleep position: implications for primary care","volume":"13","author":"Najarian","year":"1999","journal-title":"J Pediatr Health Care"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1054\/bjps.1997.3007","article-title":"Posterior plagiocephaly: proactive conservative management","volume":"52","author":"O\u2019Broin","year":"1999","journal-title":"Br J Plast Surg"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"722","DOI":"10.1007\/s002470050452","article-title":"Craniosynostosis 1998: concepts and controversies: invited commentary: posterior deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"28","author":"Fernbach","year":"1998","journal-title":"Pediatr Radiol"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"667","DOI":"10.3171\/jns.1997.87.5.0667","article-title":"Nonsurgical, nonorthotic treatment of occipital plagiocephaly: what is the natural history of the misshapen neonatal head?","volume":"87","author":"Moss","year":"1997","journal-title":"J Neurosurg"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11172","DOI":"10.3390\/app122111172","article-title":"A systematic review of positional plagiocephaly prevention methods for patients in development","volume":"12","author":"Inchingolo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Appl Sci"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"322","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuchi.2019.09.003","article-title":"Deformational plagiocephaly: state of the art and review of the literature","volume":"65","author":"Beuriat","year":"2019","journal-title":"Neurochirurgie"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1093\/ejo\/cjy012","article-title":"Head orthosis therapy in positional plagiocephaly: longitudinal 3D-investigation of long-term outcomes, compared with untreated infants and with a control group","volume":"41","author":"Kunz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur J Orthod"},{"key":"B17","first-page":"1953","article-title":"Diagnosis and management of positional head deformity","volume":"67","author":"Biggs","year":"2003","journal-title":"Am Fam Physician"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1407","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-012-1755-3","article-title":"Deformational plagiocephaly and orthotic treatment: indications and limitations","volume":"28","author":"Mortenson","year":"2012","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E632","DOI":"10.1227\/NEU.0000000000001430","article-title":"Congress of neurological surgeons systematic review and evidence-based guideline on the role of cranial molding orthosis (helmet) therapy for patients with positional plagiocephaly","volume":"79","author":"Tamber","year":"2016","journal-title":"Neurosurgery"},{"key":"B20","first-page":"3082","article-title":"Deformational plagiocephaly","author":"Fahrenkopf","year":"2020"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3531","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm10163531","article-title":"Natural-course evaluation of infants with positional severe plagiocephaly using a three-dimensional scanner in Japan: comparison with those who received cranial helmet therapy","volume":"10","author":"Noto","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"785","DOI":"10.5535\/arm.2013.37.6.785","article-title":"Comparison of helmet therapy and counter positioning for deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"37","author":"Kim","year":"2013","journal-title":"Ann Rehabil Med"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"492","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0b013e31821b62d6","article-title":"What is the optimal time to start helmet therapy in positional plagiocephaly?","volume":"128","author":"Kluba","year":"2011","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1499","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-014-2471-y","article-title":"Cranial molding helmet therapy and establishment of practical criteria for management in Asian infant positional head deformity","volume":"30","author":"Aihara","year":"2014","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1097\/DBP.0000000000000376","article-title":"Plagiocephaly and developmental delay: a systematic review","volume":"38","author":"Martiniuk","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Dev Behav Pediatr"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e26","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.105.2.e26","article-title":"Long-term developmental outcomes in patients with deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"105","author":"Miller","year":"2000","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1055\/a-2222-1494","article-title":"Efficacy of cranial orthosis for plagiocephaly based on 2D and 3D evaluation","volume":"51","author":"Kajita","year":"2024","journal-title":"Arch Plast Surg"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5952","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13195952","article-title":"Therapeutic effectiveness of a novel cranial remolding helmet (baby band2) for positional plagiocephaly: a multicenter clinical observational study","volume":"13","author":"Nagano","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"308","DOI":"10.1097\/00001665-200107000-00003","article-title":"Active counterpositioning or orthotic device to treat positional plagiocephaly?","volume":"12","author":"Loveday","year":"2001","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e936","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2009-1249","article-title":"Helmet versus active repositioning for plagiocephaly: a three-dimensional analysis","volume":"126","author":"Lipira","year":"2010","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"719","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.162.8.719","article-title":"Nonsurgical treatment of deformational plagiocephaly: a systematic review","volume":"162","author":"Xia","year":"2008","journal-title":"Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1097\/00001665-200401000-00031","article-title":"Molding helmet therapy in the treatment of brachycephaly and plagiocephaly","volume":"15","author":"Teichgraeber","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"572","DOI":"10.1097\/00001665-200011060-00010","article-title":"Helmet versus nonhelmet treatment in nonsynostotic positional posterior plagiocephaly","volume":"11","author":"Vles","year":"2000","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"683","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcms.2013.09.015","article-title":"Treatment of positional plagiocephaly\u2013helmet or no helmet?","volume":"42","author":"Kluba","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Cranio-Maxillofacial Surg"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(81)80549-5","article-title":"Plagiocephaly and torticollis: etiology, natural history, and helmet treatment","volume":"98","author":"Clarren","year":"1981","journal-title":"J Pediatr"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcms.2011.05.007","article-title":"Complications in helmet therapy","volume":"40","author":"Wilbrand","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Craniomaxillofac Surg"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcms.2015.11.016","article-title":"Impact of severity and therapy onset on helmet therapy in positional plagiocephaly","volume":"44","author":"Freudlsperger","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Craniomaxillofac Surg"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"338","DOI":"10.5999\/aps.2012.39.4.338","article-title":"Outcome analysis of cranial molding therapy in nonsynostotic plagiocephaly","volume":"39","author":"Yoo","year":"2012","journal-title":"Arch Plast Surg"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.3171\/2016.9.PEDS16275","article-title":"Factors influencing outcomes of the treatment of positional plagiocephaly in infants: a 7-year experience","volume":"19","author":"Lam","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Neurosurg Pediatr"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"803","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-019-04354-2","article-title":"The role of age on helmet therapy in deformational plagiocephaly and asymmetric brachycephaly","volume":"36","author":"\u00c7evik","year":"2020","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1349","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-017-3427-9","article-title":"Relationship between starting age of cranial-remolding-orthosis therapy and effectiveness of treatment in children with deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"33","author":"Han","year":"2017","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"332","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-3016.2009.01038.x","article-title":"A case\u2013control study of infant, maternal and perinatal characteristics associated with deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"23","author":"McKinney","year":"2009","journal-title":"Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.1054\/bjps.2000.3329","article-title":"Occipital plagiocephaly","volume":"53","author":"David","year":"2000","journal-title":"Br J Plast Surg"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"284","DOI":"10.3171\/2009.1.PEDS08330","article-title":"Diagnosis and management of deformational plagiocephaly: a review","volume":"3","author":"Robinson","year":"2009","journal-title":"J Neurosurg Pediatr"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"320","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pedhc.2011.10.002","article-title":"Evidence-based care of the child with deformational plagiocephaly, part II: management","volume":"26","author":"Flannery","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Pediatr Health Care"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.3171\/2017.7.PEDS16693","article-title":"Head shape at age 36 months among children with and without a history of positional skull deformation","volume":"21","author":"Collett","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Neurosurg Pediatr"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1159\/000028794","article-title":"Cranial growth unrestricted during treatment of deformational plagiocephaly","volume":"30","author":"Kelly","year":"1999","journal-title":"Pediatr Neurosurg"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.1007\/s00381-013-2030-y","article-title":"Three-dimensional analysis of positional plagiocephaly before and after molding helmet therapy in comparison to normal head growth","volume":"29","author":"Schweitzer","year":"2013","journal-title":"Childs Nerv Syst"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.3345\/cep.2023.00626","article-title":"Effectiveness of helmet therapy for infants with moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly","volume":"67","author":"Kim","year":"2023","journal-title":"Clin Exp Pediatr"},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"779","DOI":"10.1097\/SCS.0000000000010018","article-title":"A study on the effectiveness of helmet therapy for cranial deformations according to cranial shape","volume":"35","author":"Cho","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Craniofac Surg"},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"499","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcms.2022.05.001","article-title":"Helmet therapy for positional cranial deformations; a 5-year follow-up study","volume":"50","author":"van Cruchten","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Craniomaxillofac Surg"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Pediatrics"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1638581\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]],"date-time":"2025-07-31T05:37:42Z","timestamp":1753940262000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1638581\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]]},"references-count":51,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fped.2025.1638581"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1638581","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2360"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2360","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]]},"article-number":"1638581"}}