Introduction: Non-synostotic cranial deformity is a frequent pediatric event worldwide after the “back-to-sleep-campaign” was initiated to prevent SIDS. Existing clinical classification patterns lack a statistical background and reliability check-ups certify their subjectivity.

Patients and methods: Anthropometric data from a database for non-synostotic cranial deformity including more than 1400 Patients was compared with data of 400 children without craniofacial symptoms forming the normative control group. Descriptive Statistics was performed.

Results: Pediatric non-synostotic craniofacial deformities can be divided into the three major groups plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and combination out of both. Severity fragmentation can discriminate normal head form from mild, moderate and severe cranial deformity, respectively. Clinical cut-points regarding cranial index and cranial vault asymmetry index were obtained.

Conclusion: A stable classification model for non-synostotic cranial deformities is necessary for reliable diagnostics and decision-making in pediatric craniofacial surgery. Using a statistical analysis of almost 2000 children with and without positional cranial deformity, we propose a model for grouping and severity fragmentation.

Conflict of interest: None declared.