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Positional Cranial Asymmetry
Time is crucial for treatment. The sooner the asymmetry is identified, the sooner treatment can begin.
● What is Positional Cranial Asymmetry?
It's a change in the shape of the baby's skull.
● How can I identify asymmetry in my baby?
Observe if the back of the baby's head has one side more flattened than the other, or both sides, if the top of the baby's head is raised, or if the head is more elongated.
● What are the types of Positional Cranial Asymmetry?
Plagiocephaly: occurs when one side of the back of the baby's head is flattened, and may be associated with misalignment of the ears, misalignment of the forehead, asymmetry of the eyes, if the forehead is more anterior on the same side that is flattened.
Symmetrical brachycephaly: when the head is wider and the back of the head is completely flattened.
Asymmetrical Brachycephaly: when one side presents a greater degree of flattening, which may also be associated with ear misalignment and facial asymmetry.
Scaphocephaly: when the head is narrower and more elongated. In these cases, we observe a difficulty for the baby in positioning their head in the midline.
● Why do these positional changes occur?
There can be several causes, including: the baby's position in utero, multiple pregnancies, prolonged labor, excessive use of compression devices, congenital muscular torticollis, and sleeping in a position where the head is always resting on the same area.
● What should I do when I notice a change in the shape of my baby's head?
Seek a qualified professional and begin treatment immediately. The advice is: Act Early!
This same professional will measure your baby's head, assess it, classify it, and propose the treatment.
● What are the types of Positional Cranial Asymmetry?
Observe if the back of the baby's head has one side more flattened than the other, or both sides, if the top of the baby's head is raised, or if the head is more elongated.
● Importance of assessing the baby's head.
The baby's head measurements are taken with a craniometer, which allows us to determine the degree of asymmetry, monitor the condition, and develop treatment strategies.
● Why does positional cranial asymmetry occur?
The bones of a baby's head are very malleable, the head grows at a faster rate, babies in the first months of life, especially the first 3 months, sleep a lot, babies who remain in the same position for a long time, when they have a preferred posture, and when torticollis is identified.
● How to avoid positional cranial asymmetry?
Frequently change the baby's position, especially their head; place stimuli on the opposite side of the head that is flattened; place the baby on their tummy when awake and alert, several times a day; avoid excessive use of devices; SUPERVISED naps on the side and on the tummy.
● What are the consequences of cranial asymmetry?
Increased risk of delayed motor development.
Aesthetic repercussions.
Functional changes such as: recurrent ear infections, jaw deviation, eye asymmetry, among others.
● How to treat positional cranial asymmetries?
Repositioning, specialized physiotherapy, and in some cases the use of a cranial orthosis.
● Repositioning:
This is the first step that can be taken in the first few months of a baby's life to treat a positional cranial asymmetry.