This course will be delivered in five parts. The first part of the course will be a presentation on the theory around infantile asymmetries to include torticollis, infantile postural asymmetry (IPA), deformational plagiocephaly (DP) and brachycephaly. How these asymmetrical conditions inter-relate will be explored.  The second part will look at measurement of IPA, DP and brachycephaly comparing the different methods for the clinical setting and how to interpret the measurements. Part three will look at the supporting evidence - what the research tells us in relation to treatment approaches and prognosis. The fourth part will explore treatment approaches for infantile asymmetries, and multidisciplinary collaboration in patient care. The course finishes with a home care programme to instruct parents and caregivers.

Osteopathic practice standards and other CPD elements covered

A) Communication and patient partnership A1, A2, A3, A4, A5
B) Knowledge skills and perfomance B1, B2, B3, B4
C) Safety and qualify in practice C1
D) Professionalism D1, D3, D9, D10

Communication and consent (approx 1 hr)
The final element of the course is instruction on an interactive way to support parents/caregivers in the ongoing management of the childs care. This will include a discussion around consent for treatment choices.

Learning outcomes

• Identify different types of cranial deformities and torticollis

• Understand how to manage infants with DP, IPA and CMT, to include diagnosis and follow-up

• Compare the guidelines with the evidence for management of these conditions       

• Osteopathic techniques for treating DP, IPA and CMT in infants

• Take away an important tool for practitioners to offer parents in the ongoing management of plagiocephaly 

Timetable
Day 1
08:15 - 08:30 Online registration
08:30 - 09:15 Introduction to the course and background to infantile asymetry (JE)
09:15 - 10:00 Torticollis (GM)
10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:00 IPA and measurement (JE)
11:00 - 12:15 Measurement tools for DP and brachycephaly in the clinic, to include a practical presentation (GM)
12:15 - 12:30 Q&A and open discussion (JE)

Day 2
08:15 - 08:30 Online registration
08:30 - 09:30 Supporting evidence for best practice (JE)
09:30 - 09:40 Break
09.40 - 11:10 Treating DP, IPA and CMT with case study discussion (GM)
11:10 - 11:20 Break
11:20 - 12:20 Home care programme for parents. (JE)
12:20 - 12:30 Q&A and open discussion (GM)


Course suitability
The course is suitable to all osteopaths who are interested paediatrics.

Recommended pre-course reading
Julie Ellwood, Jerry Draper-Rodi and Dawn Carnes. The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: a synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance.  Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2020;28:31.  

Persing J, James H, Swanson J, Kattwinkel J. Prevention and management of positional skull deformities in infants. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, Section on Plastic Surgery and Section on Neurological Surgery. Pediatrics 2003;112(1 Pt 1):199-202   

Cummings C, Société canadienne de Pédiatrie. La plagiocéphalie positionnelle. Paediatr Child Health 2011;16(8):495-6.  

Looman WS, Flannery AB. Evidence-Based Care of the child with deformational plagiocephaly, part I: assessment and diagnosis. J Pediatr Health Care. 2012 Jul- Aug;26(4):242-50. 

Flannery AB, Looman WS, Kemper K. Evidence-based care of the child with deformational plagiocephaly, part II: management. J Pediatr Health Care. Sep-Oct 2012;26(5):320-31.  

Flannery AM, Tamber MS, Mazzola C, Klimo P Jr, Baird LC, Tyagi R, et al. Congress of Neurological Surgeons systematic review and evidence-based guidelines for the Management of Patients with Positional Plagiocephaly: executive summary. Neurosurgery. 2016;79(5):623–4.