Assessment of Cranial Antrophometry in Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

Aim: Cranial asymmetry is now an important evaluation parameter in the field of pediatric physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are studying more about the cranial region associated with body functions. However, there is still a need for evidence-based work. Cranial asymmetry is also an important evaluation method of osteopathy, a complementary therapy method. Method: This study was conducted in 24 children with Cerebral Palsy between the ages of 1-12 and 22 healthy children in the same age group at a physical therapy and rehabilitation hospital. This study was performed on 24 cerebral palsies between 1-12 years old who came to a physical therapy and rehabilitation hospital and 22 healthy children in the same age group. Cranial anthropometric values were measured using cranial calliper in standard positions. Findings: Cerebral palsy subjects had mean head diameter (48 mm), length (136 mm) and width (123 mm), and healthy subjects had head diameter (53 mm), length (152 mm) and width (133 m). Values of individuals with cerebral palsy were significantly lower than healthy subjects (p = 0.00, p = 0.00, p = 0.00). Conclusion: We concluded that the anthropometric measurements of cranial asymmetry should be applied as a routine protocol in the physical assessment of children with cerebral palsy and that cranial anomalies should be considered by physiotherapists, according to the results of our study. There is a need to study more about the frequency of cranial asymmetry and the effectiveness of cranial mobilizations as countermeasures