The skull of a baby is highly sensitive and moderately malleable so that it can suffer some type of deformity according to its normal development. Plagiocephaly occurs in newborn babies and during the months following their birth, where aesthetically the skull suffers that malformation without affecting the brain.
There are several causes that lead to this deformation and one of them usually occurs in the hours of sleep when the baby is still a few months old. This is because the head formation is still flexible so that it can be fit as it exits the birth canal. As the months go by, the skull solidifies and forms, but in some cases they adapt to inopportune postures that deform it.
How is plagiocephaly diagnosed in babies?
If you notice that your baby does not have a uniform head and where the suspicion is more than evident, you should go to a pediatric consultation. An assessment will be made by observing the baby's head and performing a mobility of his musculature. In this way, it will be analyzed if there is any type of asymmetry in the skull or in any part of the face, such as the forehead or cheekbones. Another type of alteration of this malformation is caused by a torticollis, being able to be produced inside the mother's womb before birth and where it is likely to be causing poor posture. That constant neck twist may be producing this effect.
Causes that cause plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is produced by external pressures where a bad posture causes a deformation of the head. It can occur during pregnancy, where the baby's head is improperly positioned within the uterus due to a small space. In this case there are children who are born with a one congenital muscular torticollis.
At the time of the baby's birth, it can also suffer a deformation of the skull when it has had to force expulsion with the aid of forceps or suction cup. Other babies have been born prematurely and have had to be brought to incubators. The lake period in this place, with a usual positioning of his head and next to the weak frame of his head it can cause plagiocephaly.
During its growth and rest throughout the weeks you have to be aware of the position of its head. Do not allow the child to always lie on the same side and if it does it unconsciously, it will be necessary to observe if it is a consequence of a torticollis, since in 85% of cases this is the cause.
It is preferable that the baby sleep on your stomach at certain times of the day, since if you do it on your back continuously you can suffer from postural plagiocephaly. A newborn sleeps 16 to 18 hours a day and the posture of his head on a surface can cause him to flatten.
How to prevent plagiocephaly in babies?
Due to the malleability of the baby's skull bones it is necessary to avoid static postures for a long time and in the same position. You have to vary the position of his head when he is lying down, trying to change his head sideways from time to time.
Permanence must be avoided as much as possible in car seats, carrycot and hammock. Continued poor posture can cause the head shape to deform creating a different position of the ear or a bulge on one side of the forehead.
If there is a torticollis, surely the doctor can recommend stretching exercises and gentle massages. In some cases, a cranial remodeling orthosis (helmet) is placed so that the posture is corrected and can begin to have mobility the neck, but little by little.
It is important to do an early diagnosis of plagiocephaly, in the first months of his life. Detecting the beginning of that deformity will help you only have a postural treatment and Solve naturally. In this way, we will not have to refer the baby to the pediatric neurologist to rule out a craniosynostosis. To know other related articles you can read "what is the best position to sleep a baby ".