Brachycephaly, scaphocephaly, plagiocephaly, oh my!
Written by: Dr. Ariel Day, PT, DPT, CBS
Brachycephaly, scaphocephaly, plagiocephaly, oh my! What do the different head shapes look like? Can I do anything about my baby’s head flatness? What causes those different head shapes? Can I prevent any of these types of head flatness?
Causes/Risk Factors of Head Flatness
When a baby is born, their head is still forming and is, therefore, soft. Because of this, there can be a shift in the shape of a baby’s head for a variety of reasons as they continue to grow. At the core, head flatness is caused by prolonged pressure to one area of an infant’s head. This pressure causes a slowing of skull growth in the pressured area while the unaffected areas continue to grow. Head flatness is typically named by the specific area of the skull that is flattening. But what exactly causes this? Some causes of head flatness include, but are not limited to,:
• Positioning in the womb
• Pregnancy with multiples (twins, triplets, etc)
• Increased time on their back
• Torticollis or muscle tightness in the neck
• Muscle weakness in the neck
Types of Head Flatness
Brachycephaly is a flattening across the back of the head leading to a “wider, taller” head shape.
Scaphocephaly is a flattening along both sides of the head leading to a “longer, narrower” head shape.
Plagiocephaly is a flattening across one side of the back of the head leading to an asymmetrical head shape. Plagiocephaly can lead to a shift in ear position, forehead position, and facial features on the same side of the head flatness.
A Note on Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is defined as an early closure of the bones in the skull. Several bones make up the entire skull and when they close early, it can lead to head shapes that vary and do not necessarily fit with the descriptions above. This can lead to a restriction in overall skull and brain growth. Craniosynostosis is a serious condition that requires intervention by trained medical professionals.
Prevention Strategies
There are many strategies that can be utilized to prevent head flatness. Decreasing the time your baby is lying on his/her back is the biggest way to prevent head flatness. This can look like increasing tummy time, playing on their side (both sides), or even utilizing baby-wearing techniques. Playing with your baby in a variety of positions allows pressure to change on your baby’s head throughout the day and allow even growth throughout the skull.
What do I do now?
“I feel like my baby’s head shape is like one of the one’s described above. What should I do now?” Begin the prevention strategies mentioned above if you haven’t already. These can prevent further flattening and help to start rounding the head shape. In addition, reach out to a skilled physical or occupational therapist as early as possible. The earlier intervention is started, the faster the root cause of the head shape change can be identified and the faster progress is typically seen. This can not only address head shape changes, but also promote symmetrical motor development and ensure long-term health. Remember, if you have any concerns about your baby's head shape, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified physical or occupational therapist specializing in pediatric care.For more information on how PT can help with head shape, check out Year One Wellness’s Blog Post “How Physical and Occupational Therapy Can Help with Flat Head in Babies”. Year One Wellness also offers virtual consultation everywhere and in-person consultations in and around Austin, TX.
