Period prevalence of positional head deformations and implications for practice in a large tertiary neonatal unit.

Aim: To establish the prevalence of positional head deformations (PHDs) within a neonatal unit (NU) setting, and to evaluate the subsequent impact that PHDs have on NU graduates and their families.

Methods: A prospective audit was conducted over a six-week period within a tertiary NU (Brisbane, Australia). Eligible babies were measured weekly using a craniometer where presence, type and severity of PHD were determined.