When your baby's head has a flat spot
Positional (or deformational) plagiocephaly is when a baby's head has a flat spot or is misshapen due to repeated pressure to the same area of the head. Positional plagiocephaly is a fairly common and treatable condition.
Plagiocephaly care providers
Treatment for positional plagiocephaly
Treatment will be determined based on the age of your baby and the severity of his or her head shape distortion. Frequent rotation of your child's head would be the first recommendation. Alternating sleep and waking positions may also help prevent and treat positional plagiocephaly. Some cases do not require additional treatment and the condition may resolve spontaneously when the infant begins to sit.
If the deformity is moderate to severe and a trial of repositioning has failed, treatment may include cranial orthotic therapy (using a helmet to change the shape of the head).
Unlike lambdoid synostosis, positional plagiocephaly is not caused by craniosynostosis (premature closure of one or more cranial sutures) and is not treated with surgery.