Mustard Seed Pillow can Prevent Deformational Plagiocephaly in infants

A recent Randomized Controlled Trial assessed the effectiveness of using mustard seed-filled pillows in preventing deformational plagiocephaly (DP) in preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks and <1500 g. The intervention group received a mustard pillow along with standard nesting, while the control group was positioned using nesting alone. The study assessed plagiocephaly using the Cranial Index (CI), Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI), and Argenta classification within the first week and at four weeks postnatal age. It found-

• Lower mean (SD) CVAI scores in the intervention group at four weeks postnatal age than in the control group. 
• More infants in the control group had plagiocephaly.
• No differences in the Cranial Index scores in the intervention and control group. 

This study places mustard seed pillows as an easily available and cost-effective intervention for preventing plagiocephaly in hospitalized preterm infants.

Saji CF, John HB, Stephen R, et al. Mustard Seed Pillow for Prevention of Deformational Plagiocephaly in ≤ 32 Weeks’ Gestational Age Infants: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial. INDIAN PEDIATRICS. 2024;61.