Plagiocephaly is the term used to describe the development of an abnormal head shape in infants. When you look down on the infants head, you will often times see misallignment of the ears, facial assymetry and a bulging forhead.
How is Plagiocephaly caused?
In Utero Constraint: When a baby forms in the uterus and is constricted, the baby can develop plagio. This restricted womb can be caused by a large baby, multiples, a small uterus, or not enough amniotic fluid. A baby in the breech position could also devleop plagio as the babies head could be lodged under the mothers ribs.
Premature Birth: The skull of a premie is very soft making the head even more delicate and easy to flatten.
Back Sleeping and lots of time on the back: This is the most common cause of plagiocephaly. Babies spend a lot of time on their back. Spending lots of time in one position for long periods of time can cause the infants skull to flatten. I can not stress enough how important it is to stick to the American Academy of Pediatrics Back To Sleep Campaign to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Treatments:
Repostion! The best way to prevent any further type of treament is to catch it and treat it as soon as possible. If you notice that your child had a flattening, you can do several things. to help.
Vary your baby's head position during sleep (use a side sleeper, a wedge).
Change the crib position, toy locations, mobiles, so that your baby needs to look in the opposite direction of the flattening. Have lots of supervised tummy time play. There are several pillows designed for tummy time play or you can use a rolled up towel, placed under your babies chest for a propped up play time. Again, SUPERVISE your child.
Limit the amount of time your child spends in the car seat, bouncy seat and swing. That is added pressure to the already flat spots.
Helmet Therapy:
Bands and helmets come in several different designs and shapes. They are all lightweight and each one is custom made to fit YOUR baby. Some places offer a Scan of your childs head, which is less traumatic than the others that will do a Casting Process. The helmet is generally worn 23 hours a day, with the off time taken to bathe your child. On average, a child wears the helmet for 2-6 months, though there are cases that a child will need it less or longer.
Surgery:
This is a last step option. Surgery is a very hard decision to make and you will only be given this option if it is the only way. The skull is removed and reshaped then attached again. This is a major surgery and your child could spend several days in the hospital.
HOME
JAXSON'S PHOTO PAGE
HELPFUL LINKS
OUR STORY
BRACHIAL PLEXUS INFO
