Positional Plagiocephaly (Flat Head)

Positional or deformational Plagiocephaly (Flat Head) is a common craniofacial disorder, occurs in infants either during or after birth, referring to an asymmetric (When one side of the face does not match up with the other side of the face) or lopsided head shape, typically flattening on one side, caused by external force or pressure. However, during most normal births, a newborn head may appear pointy or elongated for a short time, after passage through the birth canal. This usually corrects itself within six weeks following birth. Only when this disorder persists or caused by a medical problem, should be of concern. Plagiocephaly does not affect the development of a baby's brain. A pediatrician is likely to make the diagnosis and suggest treatments.

There are many causes for this flat head disorder. Pressure on the bones of the head, if the baby doesn't move during pregnancy or during multiple pregnancies movement is constricted, (intrauterine pressure) related to a crowded womb, baby's skull laying on the mother's pelvis or uterine fibroids (benign tumors made of fibrous and muscular tissue) increase the risk of positional plagiocephaly. During delayed development in a pregnancy or baby having multiple medical problems, changing position in the womb is hard and increases the risk developing this disorder. Premature babies are perceptible developing flat heads because their skulls are softer than full term babies, and require more time on their backs without being moved or picked up, receiving continuous medical attention or extremely fragile to hold after birth. Also, when a baby sleeps in one preferred position or head is continuously laying on a flat surface (swings, crib, mattress, strollers or playpen) for several months, becomes susceptible to being "molded" into a flat shape. Also, Continuously sleeping on side, maybe caused by a medical problem called calle torticollis (Muscle tightness in the neck causing limited range of motion).