A crooked head in a baby is a problem you are facing? Plagiocephaly, otherwise known as oblique head, is the most common type of head deformities in infants. This flattening is caused by the action of gravity on the head, twisted mostly to one side. It is characterised by a flattening of the frontal part on one side and the occipital part on the opposite side. Craniofacial asymmetry is also often present. It can be recognised by a more protruding forehead on one side, one eye larger than the other, asymmetrical cheeks or a misalignment of the jaw. Very often a flattening of the head on one side goes hand in hand with a tilt of the head to the opposite shoulder.
Plagiocephaly may be:
- congenital - results from abnormalities in the development of the baby's skull in the womb. It often occurs with genetic syndromes or health problems during pregnancy.
- arrangement - That is, acquired in the first few weeks of a baby's life. It is the result of prolonged pressure on the baby's head on one side of the occiput.
Placental plagiocephaly has the best prognosis of all head deformities. However, the timing of the implementation of therapy is crucial (infant physiotherapy) and parental involvement in the therapeutic process.
Where do flattened heads in children come from? How can they be prevented and how can an existing deformity be dealt with? I will answer these questions in the article - I invite you to read on!
Why and how does a baby's head flatten?
Plagiocephaly most often develops in the first months of a baby's life. This is due to the high elasticity of the cranial sutures and the soft bones of the skull. In order for the head to pass through the birth canal without damage, it must be flexible. Over time, this elasticity decreases, but during the first weeks of life, the head is most vulnerable to deformation.
The baby spends most of its time lying on its back, except for moments in the parents' arms. In this position, the occiput is under the weight of the head, which can lead to flattening of the head. If the flattening affects the back of the head centrally, we are talking about brachycephaly, whereas when it concerns one party - o plagiocephaly. If the head is flattened on the sides, we are dealing with dolichocephaly - then the occiput is long and protrudes backwards.
A curiosity! Low muscle tone in infants can promote head deformities.
Crooked head in a baby - causes
Pressure on the infant's head can occur both in foetal life, during birth and after birth:
- In foetal life: The most common causes are thrombocytopenia, high baby weight, buttock or transverse position, multiple pregnancy, prematurity, abnormal uterine structure, asymmetrical maternal position.
- During childbirth: The risk of deformity is increased by the use of forceps or vacuum and prolonged labour.
- Postpartum: Most often, flattening of the baby's head occurs when the baby is laid on one side or on his or her back with the head turned to one side. Asymmetry can also be caused by too much time in a rocking chair and short periods of lying on the tummy.
- Neck torticollis - often responsible for positional head deformity - is a congenital or acquired shortening of the neck and neck muscles, manifested by rotation of the head to one side and tilt in the opposite direction.
- Plagiocephaly may also result from craniosynostosis - premature overgrowth of cranial sutures, which is treated surgically.
Effects of plagiocephaly
Crooked head in a baby is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a potential cause of more serious disorders such as:
- whole-body asymmetry,
- facial asymmetry,
- malocclusion,
- curvature of the spine,
- deformities of the cranial orifices causing pressure on the nerves and blood vessels,
- disorders of psychomotor development.
How to prevent head deformities?
Laying the baby on its stomach: The baby should be placed on the stomach several times a day from the first days of life. If the baby does not like this position, you can start by laying him on the parent's chest.
Reven head laying: Babies mostly respond to stimuli such as light, sound or a parent's face. It is important to stimulate infants on both sides, which promotes even development of head mobility.
Hard ground: A foam mat on the floor is a great place for a toddler to practise active head turning and body stabilisation.
Proper baby care: The baby should be carried alternately in both arms, placed for sleep and feeding with the head alternating between the right and left side, which prevents asymmetry.
Treatment of plagiocephaly
The first step is a detailed examination and measurement of the skull. An assessment of symmetry is performed using a craniometer to monitor head deformity and effectiveness of the physiotherapistpii of infants. The main goals of treatment are to achieve symmetry of the child's head and body.
Therapy includes movement and manual exercises such as soft tissue therapy, fascial and cranial techniques. As an aid, special orthopaedic pillowthe use of which should be consulted with a paediatric physiotherapist.
In cases of severe distortion, it is helpful to helmet therapy. The child wears a customised helmet for 23 hours a day for about three months. However, this is an expensive and demanding method and is used as a last resort.
The most important preventive measures are frequent placing infants on their stomachs and ensuring that the head is positioned symmetrically during sleep. If in doubt or if you notice asymmetry it is advisable to consult paediatric physiotherapist.
Proper diagnosis and an action plan are key to treatment. Untreated plagiocephaly can lead to problems such as scoliosis, malocclusion or psychomotor developmental delays.
Physiotherapist
