Plagiocephaly Prevention
Positional cranial deformities?
They are alterations in the shape of the baby's head that appear during the first months of life, when the skull is especially soft and fragile.As the baby's brain grows, the cranial bones gradually expand to provide adequate space. If an external force (for example, a flat surface such as a crib) limits this expansion in a particular area, growth will be compromised in this area.They are classified according to the area of the skull affected, although combined forms may also occur.
The most frequent form is plagiocephaly, which accounts for up to 85% of cases.
PLAGIOCEPHALY
It is the most common positional skull deformity. It is characterized by the flattening of one side of the head on the back.It is highly associated with muscular torticollis.
BRACHIOCEPHALY
Not only does it affect one side of the head, but the entire back area.It consists of a considerably wide, short and flattened head at the back.
SCAPHOCEPHALY
It is also known as Dolicocephaly.The flattening occurs on both laterals of the skull and occurs especially in premature babies.It consists of an elongated and narrow head.
But... why do they appear?
Sleeping in the supine position (i.e. on the back) is the main cause of these deformities. The recommendation to sleep on the back (1994) in order to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has favoured the appearance of cases of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. This does not mean that babies should stop sleeping on their backs, as this is the recommended position as it is the safest, but that we must take measures to prevent these deformities from appearing. TORTICOLLIS? Many studies have found that up to 9 out of 10 babies with plagiocephaly have torticollis at the same time. It is necessary to diagnose torticollis as soon as possible in order to start treating it and prevent the possible appearance of plagiocephaly, or to prevent it from getting worse.
1996
24
2000
48
2004
90
2008
257
2010
414
Graphic. Nº of registered plagiocephaly cases. Data obtained by the Neurosurgery Service of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital of Barcelona between 1996 and 2010. An increase in the incidence of positional plagiocephaly is clearly observed. Source: La plagiocefalia posicional: una labor de primaria (2012)
Up to 90% of infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) also have some degree of plagiocephaly.
RISK FACTORS
MUSCULAR TORTICOLLISMULTIPLE PREGNANCYPREMATURE BABIESINSUFFICIENT TUMMY TIMEMALE GENDER
PREVENTION MEASURES
TUMMY TIMEREPOSITIONINGMIMOS PILLOWEXERCISES FOR THE TORTICOLLISPEDIATRIC CONTROLS
We invite you to visit our informative website, where you will find information about what positional cranial deformities are, why they appear and, above all, how we can prevent and correct them.
Positional cranial deformities?
They are alterations in the shape of the baby's head that appear during the first months of life, when the skull is especially soft and fragile.As the baby's brain grows, the cranial bones gradually expand to provide adequate space. If an external force (for example, a flat surface such as a crib) limits this expansion in a particular area, growth will be compromised in this area.They are classified according to the area of the skull affected, although combined forms may also occur.
The most frequent form is plagiocephaly, which accounts for up to 85% of cases.
PLAGIOCEPHALY
It is the most common positional skull deformity. It is characterized by the flattening of one side of the head on the back.It is highly associated with muscular torticollis.
BRACHIOCEPHALY
Not only does it affect one side of the head, but the entire back area.It consists of a considerably wide, short and flattened head at the back.
SCAPHOCEPHALY
It is also known as Dolicocephaly.The flattening occurs on both laterals of the skull and occurs especially in premature babies.It consists of an elongated and narrow head.
But... why do they appear?
Sleeping in the supine position (i.e. on the back) is the main cause of these deformities. The recommendation to sleep on the back (1994) in order to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has favoured the appearance of cases of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. This does not mean that babies should stop sleeping on their backs, as this is the recommended position as it is the safest, but that we must take measures to prevent these deformities from appearing. TORTICOLLIS? Many studies have found that up to 9 out of 10 babies with plagiocephaly have torticollis at the same time. It is necessary to diagnose torticollis as soon as possible in order to start treating it and prevent the possible appearance of plagiocephaly, or to prevent it from getting worse.
1996
24
2000
48
2004
90
2008
257
2010
414
Graphic. Nº of registered plagiocephaly cases. Data obtained by the Neurosurgery Service of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital of Barcelona between 1996 and 2010. An increase in the incidence of positional plagiocephaly is clearly observed. Source: La plagiocefalia posicional: una labor de primaria (2012)
Up to 90% of infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) also have some degree of plagiocephaly.
RISK FACTORS
MUSCULAR TORTICOLLISMULTIPLE PREGNANCYPREMATURE BABIESINSUFFICIENT TUMMY TIMEMALE GENDER
PREVENTION MEASURES
TUMMY TIMEREPOSITIONINGMIMOS PILLOWEXERCISES FOR THE TORTICOLLISPEDIATRIC CONTROLS
We invite you to visit our informative website, where you will find information about what positional cranial deformities are, why they appear and, above all, how we can prevent and correct them.
Positional cranial deformities?
They are alterations in the shape of the baby's head that appear during the first months of life, when the skull is especially soft and fragile.As the baby's brain grows, the cranial bones gradually expand to provide adequate space. If an external force (for example, a flat surface such as a crib) limits this expansion in a particular area, growth will be compromised in this area.They are classified according to the area of the skull affected, although combined forms may also occur.
The most frequent form is plagiocephaly, which accounts for up to 85% of cases.
PLAGIOCEPHALY
It is the most common positional skull deformity. It is characterized by the flattening of one side of the head on the back.It is highly associated with muscular torticollis.
BRACHIOCEPHALY
Not only does it affect one side of the head, but the entire back area.It consists of a considerably wide, short and flattened head at the back.
SCAPHOCEPHALY
It is also known as Dolicocephaly.The flattening occurs on both laterals of the skull and occurs especially in premature babies.It consists of an elongated and narrow head.
1996
24
2000
48
2004
90
2008
257
2010
414
Graphic. Nº of registered plagiocephaly cases. Data obtained by the Neurosurgery Service of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital of Barcelona between 1996 and 2010. An increase in the incidence of positional plagiocephaly is clearly observed. Source: La plagiocefalia posicional: una labor de primaria (2012)
But... why do they appear?
Sleeping in the supine position (i.e. on the back) is the main cause of these deformities. The recommendation to sleep on the back (1994) in order to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has favoured the appearance of cases of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. This does not mean that babies should stop sleeping on their backs, as this is the recommended position as it is the safest, but that we must take measures to prevent these deformities from appearing. TORTICOLLIS? Many studies have found that up to 9 out of 10 babies with plagiocephaly have torticollis at the same time. It is necessary to diagnose torticollis as soon as possible in order to start treating it and prevent the possible appearance of plagiocephaly, or to prevent it from getting worse.
Up to 90% of infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) also have some degree of plagiocephaly.
RISK FACTORS
MUSCULAR TORTICOLLISMULTIPLE PREGNANCYPREMATURE BABIESINSUFFICIENT TUMMY TIMEMALE GENDER
PREVENTION MEASURES
TUMMY TIMEREPOSITIONINGMIMOS PILLOWEXERCISES FOR THE TORTICOLLISPEDIATRIC CONTROLS
We invite you to visit our informative website, where you will find information about what positional cranial deformities are, why they appear and, above all, how we can prevent and correct them.
