WHAT IS FLAT HEAD SYNDROME?
NORMAL
PLAGIOCEPHALY
BRACHYCEPHALY
DOLICHOCEPHALY
Plagiocephaly
this is the most common type and occurs when the head is flattened on one side, causing it to look asymmetrical and distorted. For example, the ears may be misaligned and when seen from above the head, looks like a parallelogram.
Brachycephaly
this is when the back of the head becomes flattened, causing the head to widen. To compensate, the front of the skull sometimes bulges out.
Dolichocephaly
is a condition where the head is longer than would be expected, relative to its width.
FACIAL ASYMMETRY AND SKULL SHAPE DEFORMATION:
A flattening to one side at the back of the head; this often causes some facial asymmetry.
- Variations in the eyes alignment, one eye appears larger than the other
- Ear displacement: The ear on the affected side may be pushed further forwards the front of the head compared to the other side.
- One cheek appears fuller than the other.
- The forehead on the affected side becomes more prominent.
INFANT SEAT
It has been noticed that extensive use of car seats, infant swings and bouncy seats also contribute to plagiocephaly. In these devices, the back of the head is placed against a rigid, unyielding surface.
The resulting deformity can be severe, even causing “cornering” or “squaring” of the head. While normal use is not a concern, extended use, especially allowing infants to sleep in them, increases the risk of plagiocephaly.
MULTIPLE BIRTHS
Flattening of a baby’s skull can sometimes occur in the mother’s womb. There may not be enough amniotic fluid inside the womb to cushion the baby (known as oligohydramnios).
This means the baby’s head can become temporarily deformed as they travel down the birth canal. For example, when twins squash against each other inside the womb.
CONGENITAL MUSCULAR TORTICOLLIS (WRYNECK)
A baby will sometimes have tight muscles in their neck, which prevents them from turning their head a particular way.
This causes them to always rest their head on the other side, flattening it.
PREMATURITY
Flat Head syndrome is widely seen among new born babies as they are often unable to turn their head in one direction due to neck pain.
This causes the baby to prefer to be positioned on the same side of the skull. Constant pressure causes a flattening of the soft tissues on one spot compared to the rest of the baby’s skull.
BACK-SLEEPING PRESSURE
Since the ‘back to sleep’ campaign Doctors have recommended that all babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’).
Plagiocephaly has increased dramatically as the back sleeping position produces constant pressure on the rear of the skull. Plagiocephaly is directly related to baby’s sleeping behavior.
