Plagiocephaly is an abnormal flattening of the skull. The term literally means “flat head” (plagio=flat, ceph=head). Most recently, this term has been used to describe a flattening of the back of the head. The most common cause is deformational plagiocephaly which develops when a baby sleeps consistently with its head in the same position. Over time, the weight of the head molds the bone of the skull, creating flatness.

It is important to distinguish between abnormal head shape caused by positioning (or deformation) and abnormal head shape caused by abnormal growth. The premature closure of cranial growth centers, or sutures is called craniosynostosis. This rare condition can cause abnormal head shape because the skull cannot grow normally. Positional (or deformational) abnormal head shapes can be corrected without surgery by repositioning the head or by using a helmet (cranial orthoses). Craniosynostosis may require surgery to correct head shape and to allow space for brain growth and development. untreated
children with plagiocephaly, especially those with moderate to severe plagiocephaly
may experience other medical issues later in life.

A number of studies have associated the recent dramatic increase in the number of children with flatten heads with the “back sleep campaign.” This campaign was initiated in an effort to decrease the inicidence of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This has been very successful in decreasing the number of SIDS deaths. However, since more children sleep on their backs, more have some flattening of the back of their heads. This condition can be much worse on one side if a child preferentially sleeps with that side down.

Head flattening and asymmetry can have a number of causes: torticollis (also know as wryneck), crowding of the baby in the uterus, extended time in car seats and other infant carriers as well as back sleeping and craniosynostosis. In addition, abnormal head shape can take a number of different forms depending on the area of the head that is abnormal.

There are several options for treating plagiocephaly depending on the age of the child and the severity of the deformity. The best place to start is with a consultation with a craniofacial plastic surgeon or pediatric neurosurgeon. During this initial evaluation, the doctor can examine and measure your baby's head, diagnose the problem and recommend additional tests and/or treatment. Usually, a simple examination is all that is needed to determine which treatment would be best for your child.

Aiding in the prevention of Plagiocephaly
The Infant Head Bed is an FDA approved device that aids in the prevention of Plagiocephaly, an abnormal shape of the head. Plagiocephaly manifests within the first few weeks after birth. It is often caused by an infant sleeping with its head in one position, rather than positioning the head randomly during sleep. The Infant Head Bed allows the caregiver to move and position the infant head randomly during sleep to aid in the prevention of Plagiocephaly.

Using the Infant Head Bed
The Infant Head Bed is placed comfortably underneath the child's head to gently hold a position while allowing the back of the head to rest gently on the bed. This allows the child to sleep comfortably without being able to move its head to its favored position. If needed, the Infant Head Bed can be set in place after the child is asleep. To reduce the risk of suffocation, the Infant Head Bed should only be used until the child is able to roll onto its side (normally at 5 months old).

If you have other questions you can call Dr. Warnock's office at
(801) 571-2020 or visit: www.plagiocephaly.org.