However, there can also be a more severe but RARE condition called craniosynostosis, in which the cranial bone sutures fuse prematurely. This difference might make them more susceptible to compressive forces in utero and during delivery, and the rapidly growing male head may increase gravitational forces further contributing to positional FHS, especially with an already established position of comfort.
into the room or at parents/siblings, away from the bland wall.īeing male is also listed as a possible factor, the hypothesis being that baby boys' heads are larger and less flexible. Sometimes, FHS is a result of simple positional lie preference or the fact that the baby’s crib is by the wall and they mostly look one way, i.e. This campaign promoted putting babies to sleep on their backs, which has been a successful measure to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The incidence of flat head syndrome has increased in the past few decades, after the success of the “Back to Sleep” campaign introduced in 1994. If you notice that your baby turns their head only to one side, please do raise it with your midwife, home visitor or your GP, as the earlier the intervention the better the outcomes. Usually a spasm or a mass in the left muscle would lead to baby’s ability to turn head to the right side but not the left. The medical term is fibromatosis colli and it is a benign, mostly self-limiting condition. The mass is referred to as a “tumour”, which is an unfortunate term and can concern the parents. There can be a muscle problem in which the baby has a spasm or a mass in a neck muscle called sternocleidomastoid. Prematurity is also a factor as the baby’s head is softer before full-term and therefore more responsive to pressure. The head can also be subjected to increased pressure during labour, especially with an unusual birth position, prolonged labour (or very fast labour), or during assisted vaginal delivery with vacuum extractor cup (such as Ventouse or Kiwi OmniCup) or forceps. And of course, the space gets a little competitive with multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets. Sometimes there is not enough amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), which restricts the space in the womb and leaves less cushioning for the baby. Some women might have pre-existing restrictions or complications, such as severe scoliosis, previous major uterine surgeries, pelvic/abdominal mass(es) like large fibroids, or abnormally shaped uterus. There are many reasons why cranial asymmetries may arise, mostly from prenatal (late gestational) and/or postnatal mechanical forces applied to the infant skull.Ĭranial pressure may happen already inside the mum’s womb depending on how the infant has been lying in utero. There can be more than one form of asymmetry present. Other form of head asymmetry is dolichocephaly, also referred to as scaphocephaly, this is an elongated and narrow head shape usually seen in prematurely born babies - this will not be discussed in this article. The asymmetry can be referred to as deformational, positional or non-synostotic (which is the opposite of craniosynostosis explained below) plagio/brachycephaly. The asymmetrical flattening may also involve varying degrees of forehead protrusion and asymmetry of ear position on the same side, and some facial asymmetry. During this year the brain growth increases by further 15%, reaching 83% of an adult’s brain volume (Knickmeyer et al., 2008).įHS refers to a flattening on the back of the head (the cranial bone there is called the occiput) - in the centre – brachycephaly, or on either side of the back of the head - plagiocephaly, see picture below. The bones are fully interlocked at around the middle of second year. Also during that time, the calvarial bones start a process, which could be described as interdigitation, at the sutures. The spaces between the bones also allow for a rapid increase in brain growth, as the infant’s brain increases by 101% in the first year of life. When an abnormal shape persists, it is important to find out the cause and treat it appropriately. This may result in a “funny” head shape, which should resolve within the first couple of weeks post-birth. These spaces allow the infant’s head to change shape, and even “telescope” under one another to help go through the relatively narrow birth canal during vaginal delivery.
These form larger gaps at their intersections called fontanelles. The top part of the infant’s skull (calvary) is formed by soft and flexible bones with spaces between them called cranial sutures. It is quite normal for your baby’s head to have small left to right side imperfections.
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