Head Shape
Plagiocephaly describes a flattening on one side of a baby's skull. It can be positional (from lying in the same position) or congenital (from early cranial suture fusion). Learn about causes, types, and treatment options.
Plagiocephaly describes a condition in which one side of a baby's skull — either the back or the front — becomes flattened. Plagiocephaly can be present at birth (congenital) or develop during infancy (positional or deformational).
Positional plagiocephaly usually does not cause serious complications. Congenital plagiocephaly associated with craniosynostosis can lead to serious complications if left untreated:
Positional plagiocephaly develops when a baby consistently lies on their back, creating a flat spot in that area.
Congenital plagiocephaly is caused by craniosynostosis — a condition in which one or more of the sutures (joints) between the skull bones fuse too early.
The cause of congenital plagiocephaly without other symptoms is often unknown. When accompanied by symptoms elsewhere in the body, it may be part of a genetic syndrome such as Pfeiffer or Crouzon.
There are two types of plagiocephaly:
The signs of plagiocephaly vary depending on the type your child has.
Common symptoms of the positional type may include:
If your baby's head is misshapen, your paediatrician will need to determine whether the cause is sleeping position or craniosynostosis. A physical examination usually allows the doctor to distinguish between the two.
To confirm craniosynostosis your doctor may request one or more of the following tests:
Most babies with positional plagiocephaly need only simple treatment, such as:
For plagiocephaly caused by craniosynostosis, treatment aims to correct skull shape to relieve intracranial pressure and allow room for brain growth. One or more of the following may be recommended:
