Flat Head
What is Flat Head syndrome?
Also know in medical terms Plagiocephaly, pronuced (play-gi-o-cef-a-ly) is a condition caused by prolong sleeping time spent on one side of the baby's head normally during the first 6 to 9 weeks due to their soft skull bones, newborn babies heads can change shape occurring a flat spot knowing as (flat head syndrome) on the back or side of their head, brow, ear or cheek may be pushed forward.

Flat Head Incidences babies affected:
- 11% of singleton's have some flatting
- 56% Of twin born neonates affected
- 30% Deformities persisting at 2 years of age
- Right side more common
Flat Head Causes
- Prolonged pressure the skull in a particular position
- SIDS protocols “Back to sleep”
SIDS reduced significantly since inception of Back to Sleep’ campaign (up to 40%) Dramatic increase (10-48%) in incidence of Plagiocephaly since “Back to Sleep” campaign.
- Torticollis – a tightening of the neck muscles
- Macrocephaly - abnormalities in which the head circumference is greater then normal form
-
Child resistant to ‘tummy time’ and lead to muscle weakness
take pressure off his head., reliefs head pressure
take pressure off his head - Lack of education of prevention methods
- Utero constraints e.g. multiple births and insufficient pelvis

Common Risk Factors
- Male
- First born
- Multiple pregnancy
- Prematurity
- Oligohydramnios
- Supine sleeping
- Less then 5 mins of tummy time/day
- Delayed motor milestones
- Preferred head orientation for sleep at 6 weeks
- Positioning to same side for all bottle feeds
Traditionally Multiple Treatment Methods are available
- Keep an eye the baby's head circumference
- Changing the forces on the head by alternating the child’s sleeping head position.
- Supervised Tummy Time
- If torticollis is present (abnormal neck position) turned to one side, Physiotherapy treatment
- Cranio-reshaping helmet therapy
Prevention is the key!
- Early detection of Torticollis & referral to Physiotherapy
- Encourage prone & side-lying during supervised awake play periods several times per day
- Nightly/weekly alternating head positioning during supine sleeping
- Avoid prolonged repetitive positioning (e.g. Car seat carriers, buggies, baby swings & bouncers.
- Regularly change position of cot in room or toys/mobiles around cot.
- Counter positioning / alternating the orientation of infant in the cot
- Alternating feeding positions.
Moulding Helmet Therapy
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(Saeed et al., 2008; Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2005; Neufeld & Birkett, 1999; Persing et al., 2003; van Vlimmerman et al., 2008., Canadian Paediatric Society, 2001).