Deformations (Positional Plagiocephaly):

Why do deformations need to be treated?

Certainly the mildest deformations do not need any treatment. For children with mild to moderate deformations, who do not require treatment, we still recommend that these children be put to sleep on their backs at night, but placed on their stomachs during the day ("tummy to play, back to sleep"). It is usually possible to position your baby on the other side, which is not flat, by using a rolled blanket or wedge. Even without re-positioning, children's head shape will slowly improve over the course of many years.

We believe that the primary reason to treat a child with a deformation is to correct the skull shape from abnormal to normal. It is quite important for a child to have a normal appearance. Children with an abnormal skull shape from a deformation are most likely to be teased when they have been swimming and the hair is wet; or in boys, after they get a "buzz cut" from the barber. Children who are teased often do not wish to go to school or be around other children who might tease them, and this can have an affect the development of the child's personality. Therefore, for those children who are severely affected we recommend treatment. For all the rest, we recommend conservative treatment with head banding. Most all children who are not severely affected will achieve a completely normal head shape over the course of years, without any treatment whatsoever.

What causes a deformation?

How do I know if my child has a deformation?

Do deformations cause any internal problems?

Treatment

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