Flat Head Syndrome (Positional Plagiocephaly)
As infants our heads have soft plates and seams. This is how we go through the birthing process – things need to move. After birth those plates take time to even out and the seams take time to close. During this time most babies’ heads will take on the characteristic shape of the soft rounds of the head, but some can develop flat spots.
At times a tight muscle in the neck can hold the head to one side more than the other, causing a flattened area.
These flatted areas can shift the bones of the skull and face. Most of the time this will just even out on its own but other times the shifts can become permanent.
Brachycephaly and Torticollis
When training at the Alberta Children’s hospital I worked in the plagiocephaly and brachycephaly clinic, measuring head curves and showing families how to help at home with positioning to resolve the flattened areas. If torticollis was also involved then I would teach the family to gently stretch baby’s neck with other positioning and stretching techniques.
For plagiocephaly and brachycephaly if the curvature measures are so great that the flattened areas might not smooth out on its own then I initiate a rapid response referral through the family physician to the helmeting clinic in Victoria, addressing a family’s concerns in a timely manner.
Time is of the essence so taking the measures early is very important to proper care.