Technically,
plagiocephaly is "a malformation of the head marked by an
oblique slant to the main axis of the skull." However, more
recently, the term has been applied to any condition
characterized by a persistent flatten spot on the back or
side of the head (also know as
flat head syndrome).
A number of studies have associated the recent dramatic increase
in the number of children with flatten heads with the "back
sleep campaign." 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. Positional (or deformational)
plagiocephaly, also known as flattened head syndrome,
results from preferentially lying on one side of the head.
Deformational
brachycephaly is a flattening across the back of the head.
The two conditions (plagiocephaly
and
brachycephaly) often occur together.
However, 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 (for example,
scaphocephaly,
trigonocephaly and oxycephaly as well as
plagiocephaly and
brachycephaly).
Plagiocephaly.Info
exists because the issues of abnormal
head shape are
complex. If you have questions about your child's
head shapes, I suggest
that you start at "Get
Real Help!" If you have additional questions or wish to
contribute links or information, please
contact me.
The
information provided on this web site, although based on a
thorough and careful review of the medical literature, is
for educational purposes only and is not intended as a
substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader
should consult a physician in matters relating to health and
particularly in regards to any symptoms which may require
diagnosis or medical attention. Neither the author nor the
publisher shall be responsible for any harm or injury
resulting from interpretations of the materials in this
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