Overview:

Acquired and positional plagiocephaly affects as many as 45% of babies born in the United States. Plagiocephaly can cause multiple functional issues in infants, including compromised breastfeeding. In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker reviews the causes of the condition and an assessment process in detail, and she presents learners with multiple therapeutic strategies for resolving plagiocephaly-derived breastfeeding problems in infants.

Learning Objectives:

The learner will be able to:

• Define plagiocephaly.
• List the signs and symptoms of plagiocephaly in infants.
• Discuss the impact of plagiocephaly on breastfeeding.
• Articulate a structural assessment process for plagiocephaly.

Topics Covered:

• Plagiocephaly defined.
• Review the causes and incidence of plagiocephaly.
• Infant feeding deficits caused by plagiocephaly.
• Assessing a baby for plagiocephaly: postural, range of motion, feeding.
• Treatment strategies.
• Strategies for supporting breastfeeding the baby with plagiocephaly.
• Referral: when, who, what.

Course/Module Details:

Plagiocephaly, an abnormal asymmetrical molding of the cranial bones, causes multiple functional and developmental issues in infants, including compromised breastfeeding. Dr. Hazelbaker discusses plagiocephaly, its definition, causes, and impact on breastfeeding. She explains an easy-to-apply structural assessment process and suggests ways to facilitate breastfeeding as the condition is addressed therapeutically. She presents learners with multiple ways to mitigate or resolve plagiocephaly and how each strategy may impact breastfeeding in the short and long term. This module offers 1.5 L-CERPs.