Plagiocephaly

(Nederlandse versie zal spoedig komen)

When Thomas was about two months old we started to notice that his head shape was a bit different. It seemed flat on one side and partially on the back. We mentioned this to the doctor and he told us that it was because he had a preference turning his head in one direction and always sleeping on one side of his head.
He advised us to start repositioning him while I was feeding him, or holding him and while he was sleeping. We started doing some research and found out that his condition had a name: Positional Plagiocephaly. In doing research we learned more about how to help him. We tried to keep him off of his back and out of his car seat as much as possible. We gave him lots of tummy time (oh he has gotten strong) and I would carry him in a carrier whenever we weren't driving the car. We did this for about two months and did see some improvement but not nearly as much as was needed. When he was about 4 1/2 months old we talked to the doctor again and got a referral to see a specialist. He looked at Thomas and confirmed the condition. We took him to see a specialist a Primary Children's Hospital mid august. He confirmed what we already knew.

Here are some images of what his head looks like. This is not a picture of him but it looks exactly like him.



We then were referred to an Orthopedic Center to get him into a molding helmet to correct the shape of his head. We were lucky to get an appointment the next day and were able to start the process quickly. They first made a scan of his head. The scan would be used to make the helmet for him. I would take about 10 days the get the helmet ready.

We went in on Thurday to get him fitted in the helmet. He will have to wear the helmet for 3 months. For the first two months he will wear it 23 hours a day and for the last month only at night.
Here are some pictures of his new look:


Plagiocephaly is becoming more common. Here is some interesting info:

In 1992 the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) made the recommendation that infants should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), which launched the “Back To Sleep Campaign”. While the Back to Sleep Campaign has made tremendous strides in reducing SIDS, there has also been a dramatic increase of the number of infants suffering from Positional Plagiocephaly due to back sleeping. Parents were not given enough information regarding back sleeping and how the infant’s sleeping position should be alternated to prevent constant sleeping on the same side, nor were parents informed of the importance of “tummy time” during play. Consequently, because of the fear that many parents have regarding SIDS, many infants spend almost 100% of their time on their backs. Between infant car seats, infant carriers, bouncy seats, infant swings and sleeping on a mattress at night an infant spends little or no time without external pressure applied to the back of the head which leads to a high susceptibility to Positional Plagiocephaly.