What Is Flat Head Syndrome?
Flat head syndrome occurs when a baby consistently rests their head in the same position. As the head grows, the area of contact with the bed becomes progressively flatter. This is analogous to how a pumpkin flattens as it grows in a field. When this is on one side of the head, this condition is termed plagiocephaly. When the flattening appears evenly across the back, it is termed brachycephaly. This condition occurs in approximately 30% of infants who are slept on their back and nearly all of this occurs during the first 4-5 months of life. After that age, the risk of head flattening diminishes greatly as the baby begins to move independently.
What Causes Flat Head Syndrome?
Head flattening is primarily associated with sleep position and any condition that limits independent and full neck mobility. The most common cause is torticollis or tight neck muscles, a condition that arises in utero from fetal constraint. Other conditions that increase the risk of plagiocephaly are prematurity and developmental delay.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Flat Head Syndrome?
Signs of flat head syndrome include:
Flattening on one side or across the back of the head.
Asymmetry in facial features ear alignment, and forehead (plagiocephaly)
Widening of the head (brachycephaly)
How Is Flat Head Syndrome Diagnosed?
Head flattening is diagnosed by visual inspection. Radiographic imaging is not necessary. The extent of flattening can be quantified by using specialized calipers or by various imaging techniques.
How Is Flat Head Syndrome Treated?
Early treatment of head flattening focuses on prevention and/or mitigating the degree of flattening that arises in the critical first 4-5 months of life. Early prevention and/or treatment strategies include:
Repositioning therapy: Changing the baby's head position during sleep.
Supervised tummy time: Encouraging muscle development.
Physical therapy: Addressing torticollis with neck-stretching exercises.
Helmet therapy: Used in severe cases to gently reshape the skull.
What Else Should I Know?
Flat head syndrome does not affect brain development. There is generally no scientific support that it impacts motor skill progression, cognitive function, or the ability to wear helmets, hats, or glasses.
Will Flat Head Syndrome Correct Itself?
For mild cases, the aesthetic impact of head flattening is transient. Even more severe cases gradually improve in appearance, although some head flattening may persist into adulthood. In fact, it is estimated that 12% of adults have some degree of plagiocephaly, and an equal number have brachycephaly. Nevertheless, these differences are rarely noticed on other individuals in everyday life.
Correction through Helmet Therapy
Helmet therapy may be recommended for infants 4–18 months old with more significant head flattening.
Can Pillows Correct a Flat Head Shape?
Pillows are not recommended as they pose a suffocation risk for infants and are ineffective.
What is Perfect Noggin?
Perfect Noggin is an adjustable contoured resting surface that promotes natural head growth during early infancy. It has an anatomically-correct head recess that aligns the head-neck-torso for optimal breathing, and allows the head shape to develop into a naturally beautiful form. As we say at Perfect Noggin, flat beds make flat heads. We keep ‘em round!
Comments