Feed and Swaddle: An Alternative to Infant Sedation for Craniofacial Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The gold standard for diagnosis of craniosynostosis is a clinical examination and motionless head computed tomography (CT). Computed tomography sedation is associated with increased cost, resource utilization, medical, and possible developmental risks. This study investigates whether a "feed and swaddle" protocol can be used to achieve diagnostic quality craniofacial imaging without the use of infant sedation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Ninety patients <18 months of age undergoing evaluation for craniosynostosis from 2012 to 2018. INTERVENTIONS: A feed and swaddle protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnostic level imaging without the use of infant sedation. RESULTS: Eighty-five (94%) achieved a diagnostic quality craniofacial CT scan using the "feed and swaddle" method. Mean patient age was 24.0 ± 10.0 weeks. Craniosynostosis was diagnosed in 74% of patients. Mean age of patients with successful completion of a CT scan was 23.7 ± 9.6 weeks, compared to 27.2 ± 17.1 weeks for unsuccessful completion. Mean weight for the successful group was 15.6 ± 2.9 pounds and 15.9 ± 2.5 pounds for the unsuccessful group. Mean travel distance was 59.2 ± 66.5 miles for successful patients and 66.5 ± 61.5 miles for unsuccessful patients. For the unsuccessful patients, there were no delays in surgical planning or scheduling. CONCLUSION: The "feed and swaddle" protocol described here is an effective alternative to infant sedation for motionless craniofacial CT imaging.

Effectiveness and safety of independent pediatric nurse practitioners in evaluating plagiocephaly.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics Back to Sleep program in 1992 dramatically increased the incidence of posterior plagiocephaly in infants. In 2000, the craniofacial disorders program at Oregon Health & Science University established a plagiocephaly screening clinic staffed by pediatric nurse practitioners. METHODS: Electronic medical records of patients seen in a single accredited craniofacial disorders clinic from 2005 to 2011 were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients screened independently by pediatric nurse practitioners for positional plagiocephaly versus synostosis. RESULTS: Over a 7-year period, 1228 patients were independently screened. Over half [638 patients (52 percent)] were followed through subsequent visits for craniofacial disorders without any direct surgeon input. Of these, 169 (26 percent) were treated with orthotic consultation for a molding helmet, 385 (60 percent) received a combination of counseling and/or physical therapy for torticollis, and 84 (13 percent) were lost to follow-up. No patient managed by pediatric nurse practitioners was identified to have cranial synostosis and no patient underwent early or delayed surgery. All returning patients [n=554 (86 percent)] showed improvement in, or resolution of, their presenting deformity. The remaining 590 patients (48 percent) were referred by the pediatric nurse practitioner for surgical consultation. Computed tomographic imaging revealed synostosis in 121 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric nurse practitioners accurately screened over half of patients referred to a high-volume craniofacial disorders program for positional plagiocephaly versus synostosis, without surgeon input. Based on available information, no synostosis diagnosis was overlooked using this approach. With specific training, pediatric nurse practitioners working in a craniofacial disorders program can safely and independently screen for positional versus synostotic plagiocephaly. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, III.