The prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) has increased since the recommendation of positioning infants to their back during sleeping and is affected by various biological and environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate associations between DP and perinatal or infant characteristics, including obesity. This case–control study included 135 infants (81 males) aged 2–12 months who were diagnosed with DP using calculated cranial vault asymmetric index and cranial index and 135 age- and sex-matched controls. Motor development was evaluated using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and obesity was defined by body mass index. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess potential risk factors for DP and its severity. One hundred thirty-five infants with DP were divided into the following three subgroups according to severity indicated by the cranial vault asymmetry index: mild to moderate group ( n = 87, 64.4%), severe group ( n = 48, 35.6%), and a combined plagiocephaly and brachycephaly group ( n = 79, 58.5%). Independent risk factors significantly associated with development of DP were bottle-only feeding (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.65; 95% CI: 2.70–8.00), little tummy time when awake (aOR = 3.51, 95% CI: 1.71–7.21), delay of motor development (aOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.08–7.49), and obesity at diagnosis (aOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.02–5.90). Among these risk factors, delay of motor development (aOR = 4.91, 95% CI: 1.46–16.51) and obesity at diagnosis (aOR = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.42–11.90) were particularly related to severe DP. In conclusion, this study confirms that DP risk is positively associated with bottle-only feeding, infrequent tummy time, and delayed development of motor milestones. Notably, this study demonstrates infant obesity as a new risk factor for DP. Our findings suggest that obesity should be identified early and managed comprehensively in infants with DP.

The critical need to emphasize preterm infant follow-up after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge assures early identification of and intervention for neurodevelopmental disability. The aims of this study were to observe the follow-up rates in high-risk follow-up clinics, and analyze factors associated with non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The data was prospectively collected for 3063 VLBW infants between January 2013 and December 2014 from 57 Korean neonatal network (KNN) centers at a corrected age of 18–24 months. Correlations among demographic data, clinical variables, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) volume (divided into 4 quartiles) with the occurrence of non-compliance were analyzed. The overall follow-up rate at the corrected age of 18–24 month was 65.4%. The follow-up rates were inversely related to birth weight and gestational age. Apgar score, hospital stay, maternal age, and maternal education were significantly different between the compliance and non-compliance groups. The follow-up rate was higher for mothers with chorioamnionitis, abnormal amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancy, and in vitro fertilization. Infants with respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus ligation, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity were more common in the compliance group. Follow-up rates showed significant differences according to NICU volume. Using multivariate logistic regression, high birth weight, low NICU volume, siblings, foreign maternal nationality and high 5 min APGAR scores were significant independent factors associated with the non-compliance of VLBW infants for follow-up at 18–24 months of age. This is the first nation-wide analysis of follow-up for VLBW infants in Korea. Understanding factors associated with failure of compliance could help improve the long-term follow-up rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes through early intervention.

PurposeWe hypothesized that parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC) would be more severe in small for gestational age (SGA) compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.Materials and MethodsSixty-one VLBW infants were diagnosed as PNAC with exposure to parenteral nutrition with elevation of direct bilirubin ≥2 mg/dL for ≥14 days. Twenty-one SGA infants and 40 AGA infants matched for gestation were compared.ResultsCompared with AGA infants, PNAC in SGA infants was diagnosed earlier (25±7 days vs. 35±14 days, p=0.002) and persisted longer (62±36 days vs. 46±27 days, p=0.048). Severe PNAC, defined as persistent elevation of direct bilirubin ≥4 mg/dL for more than 1 month with elevation of liver enzymes, was more frequent in SGA than in AGA infants (61% vs. 35%, p=0.018). The serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels during the 13 weeks of life were significantly different in SGA compared with AGA infants. SGA infants had more frequent (76% vs. 50%, p=0.046), and persistent elevation of alanine aminotransferase.ConclusionThe clinical course of PNAC is more persistent and severe in SGA infants. Careful monitoring and treatment are required for SGA infants.