An infant’s skull is made up of
free-floating bones that are separated by sutures. The
sutures, which act as expansion joints, allow the skull
to mold for birthing and to expand with the rapidly
growing brain.
While many infants are born with
an abnormal head shape, due to the trip through the
narrow birth canal, most will correct themselves within
six weeks following the birth. When an abnormal head
shape persists or is not noticed until after six weeks,
it is important to determine the cause. A correct
diagnosis is essential and should be made by a qualified
specialist.
The diagnosis most often given is of
a Positional Head Deformity. Due to the malleable nature
of an infant’s skull, it is possible for external
pressures to cause skull deformity. The most common
Positional Head Deformity is Positional Plagiocephaly.
Positional Plagiocephaly is caused when repeated
external pressure is applied to one side of the occiput
(the back of the head) and a flat spot occurs. The side
of the occiput that is flattened will often be
accompanied by a prominent forehead, which when viewed
from above will give the head a parallelogram shape
instead of a normal symmetric oval shape.
It is
also common for an infant with Positional Plagiocephaly
to have misaligned ears (the ear on the effected side
may be pulled forward and down and be larger then the
unaffected ear) and facial asymmetry, with the affected
side of the face having a fuller cheek, and a more
prominent appearance. Facial asymmetry on the affected
side can also include a jawbone that is tilted, and an
eye that appears displaced and mismatched in size.
Please note this information has
not been provided by a medical professional, and should
not be used in the place of a medical opinion
Surgery stories
Cameron Rondi
Cameron Mark Rondi was born on the 10th of March
at Olivedale Hospital. When he was born he was
diagnosed with Craniosynosis, it was picked up
at birth as he was born with facial distortion
...
