Advisory Committee Chair
Chung H Kau
Advisory Committee Members
Amjad Javed
Ejvis Lamani
Terpsithea Christou
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2018
Degree Name by School
Master of Science in Dentistry (MScD) School of Dentistry
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the course of plagiocephaly during early childhood in preterm and fullterm children and determine any differences throughout the given timeframe between the two groups. Materials and Methods: 34 preterm and 34 fullterm children born in the Oulu University Hospital, Finland attended the clinical study at the age of 3 (T1), 6 (T2), (T3) months and 3 years (T4). At each visit, 3D images of the head were obtained using a 3dMD head 5-pod camera system (3dMD, Atlanta, GA). Nine outcome variables including 2D and 3D measurements were calculated. Results: At T1, 26.47% of the fullterm and 35.29% of the preterm children had plagiocephaly (p>.01). At T2, 17.64% of the fullterm and 21.87% of the preterm infants (p>.01), at T3 14.7% of the fullterm and 20% of the preterm children (p>.01) and at T4 14.7% of the fullterm versus 16.66% of the preterm children (p>.01) had plagiocephaly. Conclusions: Preterm children were more prevalent to deformational plagiocephaly in each timepoint. The prevalence of plagiocephaly decreased through time in both groups. Although the prevalence spontaneously decreases after the first months of life, in many cases does not completely resolve. Persisting asymmetries may increase the risk of subsequent occlusal and temporomandibular disharmony.
Recommended Citation
Kyteas, Panagiotis, "Assessment Of Head Asymmetry In Prematurely Born Children During Early Childhood Using 3D Photography" (2018). All ETDs from UAB. 2198.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/2198