Why does my baby have a flat spot on the back of his head?
Flat head syndrome usually happens when a baby sleeps with the head turned to the same side during first months of life. This causes a flat spot, either on one side or the back of the head. Flat head syndrome is also called positional plagiocephaly (pu-ZI-shu-nul play-jee-oh-SEF-uh-lee).
Can positional plagiocephaly correct itself?
Plagiocephaly usually fixes itself as your baby grows, but sometimes treatment is needed. Help prevent plagiocephaly by giving your baby tummy time and alternating his head position.
Do babies grow out of plagiocephaly?
When does flat head syndrome go away? Flat head syndrome is most common between the ages of 6 weeks and 2 months old, and almost always resolve completely by age 2, particularly if parents and caregivers regularly work on varying baby’s positions when he’s awake.
Does plagiocephaly affect brain development?
The good news is that plagiocephaly and flat head syndrome do not affect brain development or cause brain damage. Head size is dependent on the brain size; head shape is dependent on external forces, which can either deform or reform.
How does tummy time help flat head?
Tummy time helps strengthen babies’ necks. It gets them off the back of their heads where flatness can occur and leads to strengthening of the extensors (straightening muscles) in the back of the neck, which hold the head up when babies are on their stomachs.
How long does it take to correct plagiocephaly?
When treatment starts at the optimum age of 3-6 months, it usually can be completed within 12 weeks. Correction is still possible in babies up to age 18 months, but will take longer.
What is considered severe plagiocephaly?
The CHOA scale defines plagiocephaly as mild when CVAI is 3.5–6.25, moderate when CVAI is 6.25–8.75, severe as a CVAI 8.75–11, and very severe as greater than 11 [7].
Can positional plagiocephaly cause developmental delays?
Children with moderate-to-severe positional plagiocephaly showed lower cognitive, math, and reading scores at primary school ages. Positional plagiocephaly (PP) occurs in 20%–30% of infants and predicts higher risk for developmental delays in the toddler years.
Why is plagiocephaly bad?
If congenital plagiocephaly, which is caused by craniosynostosis, is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including: Head deformities, possibly severe and permanent. Increased pressure inside the head. Seizures.
Does plagiocephaly often correct itself?
Plagiocephaly can correct itself without the need for treatment as long as the deformity is mild and it is detected at the earliest opportunity. When your baby is around 8 weeks old, you may notice that they have started to develop a flattening on the head.
What to know about positional plagiocephaly?
As its name suggests, positional plagiocephaly is a deformity of the skull which is mainly caused by a baby lying with the head in one position for too long during the early stages of infancy. As babies cannot support themselves during the first few months of life, they tend to lie on their backs and develop a positional preference (a position in which they feel the most comfortable).
What does plagiocephaly, nonsynostotic mean?
U.S. National Library of Medicine(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic A deformity of the SKULL that is not due to bone fusion (SYNOSTOSIS), such as CRANIOSYNOSTOSES, and is characterized by an asymmetric skull and face.