The results of joint research between Japan Medical Company Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hideaki Ono, Representative Director and CEO; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") and Professor Satoshi Narumi (Department of Pediatrics) and his team at Keio University School of Medicine (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) have been published as an original paper in the journal Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology (April 2026 issue).
In this study, the research team analyzed head shape data from 127,605 Japanese infants collected through the Company's smartphone app "Baby's Head Shape Measurement." The study revealed changes in the degree of cranial asymmetry (Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index, CVAI) and the balance of head shape (Cephalic Index, CI) according to age in months. With an extraordinary population size of over 120,000, this research visualized the natural progression of infant head shapes in high resolution for the first time in the world, addressing an area that had previously been a black box. This important research result presents the world's first cranial shape growth curve applicable to infants and can serve as a foundation for future research and clinical evaluation.
| Summary of the Paper While the cranium grows rapidly during infancy, large-scale data capturing monthly changes in head shape has been limited. Using massive app-derived data from over 120,000 infants, the research team analyzed the degree of head asymmetry (CVAI) and head shape balance (CI).
The main results are as follows: - The degree of cranial asymmetry (CVAI) peaked at 3 to 4 months of age and gradually decreased with age thereafter. - The balance of head shape (CI) increased until around 6 months of age, after which the trend showed little significant change. - Boys showed a tendency to have a higher degree of cranial asymmetry (CVAI) compared to girls. - Findings indicated that low birth weight is related to the balance of head shape (CI). - Using data from a standard population of 72,726 infants (extracted based on criteria such as normal birth weight and vaginal delivery), growth curves for CVAI and CI (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles) were constructed.
| Significance of the Research: Developing Foundational Data to Support Age-Based Evaluation Based on data from an overwhelming population of over 120,000, this study visualized the "natural progression" of cranial asymmetry and head shape balance in Japanese infants, demonstrating the importance of age-based evaluation. While the growth curve is not intended to replace individual diagnosis, it is expected to be utilized as reference information for understanding chronological changes in head shape, explaining conditions to parents, and conducting clinical follow-ups.
| Initiatives between the Company and Professor Narumi: Circulating Knowledge between Clinical Practice and Research, and the Genealogy of Ongoing Joint Research In addition to the development, manufacturing, and provision of medical devices, the Company positions the accumulation and sharing of academic knowledge as a vital initiative contributing to the standardization and equalization of proper cranial checkups and appropriate helmet therapy. Through joint research with Professor Narumi's team, the Company will strengthen the cycle of connecting clinical challenges to research and returning the knowledge gained from research to improve the quality of explanations and evaluations in clinical settings.
This paper is one of the major achievements of the continuous joint research conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Keio University School of Medicine and the Company since FY2024. Its significance lies in the presentation of reference curves applicable to Japanese infants by analyzing data from over 120,000 cases accumulated through the app. Building on these results, the Company and Keio University are currently continuing their second phase of joint research on infant head shapes. The team will proceed with accumulating knowledge that leads to more appropriate evaluations and information provision based on age and background factors, returning these achievements to the clinical frontlines.
[Phase 1] From FY2024: Commencement of Joint Research A joint research agreement was signed between the Department of Pediatrics at Keio University School of Medicine and the Company. This marked the first step toward building evidence for cranial deformation in Japan.
[Achievements of Phase 1] April 2026: Publication of This Paper By analyzing accumulated data from over 120,000 infants, reference curves for Japanese infants were presented for the first time globally.
[Phase 2] Ongoing: New Phase of Joint Research Building on the outcomes of this paper, the second phase of research aimed at more appropriate evaluation and information provision is already accelerating.
| Comments on the Joint Research Professor Satoshi Narumi, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine
[Brief Biography] 2001: Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine 2001: Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University Hospital 2003: Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital 2005: Graduate School of Medicine, Keio University 2009: Project Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine 2016: Section Chief, Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development 2023: Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine
[Certifications and Affiliations] Japan Pediatric Society
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