While it is normal for babies to have misshapen heads, there are times when parents should be aware. Read on to learn more about when you should worry about your baby’s head shape.
What is Normal?
Most newborn babies have slightly misshapen heads due to their journey through the birth canal and because their skulls are still soft.
This is usually nothing to worry about and the shape will usually straighten out over time as the baby grows.
In most cases, a baby’s head may look more pointed or rounder than normal, but this is nothing major to worry about.
However, if the baby’s head is not changing shape or growing at all, then parents should be aware that something might be wrong.
When Should You Worry?
There are several conditions that can cause deformities in a newborn’s head shape. These conditions include craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and scaphocephaly. Each of these conditions has different characteristics that can help parents recognize when they need medical attention for their child.
Craniosynostosis occurs when one of the bones in a baby’s skull fuses too early, causing an abnormal head shapePlagiocephaly occurs when one side of the skull is flatter than the other; Brachycephaly occurs when both sides of the skull are flat; and Scaphocephaly happens when the back of a baby’s head is unusually long and narrow.
If your child displays any of these symptoms, it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Treatment Options
If your doctor confirms that your baby has one or more cranial deformities, they may suggest helmet therapy or surgery depending on which condition they have been diagnosed with.
Surgery involves cutting open part of the skull and reshaping it manually before securing it with plates and screws until healed correctly. Surgery carries greater risks than helmet therapy but can provide faster results if necessary.
In conclusion, newborn babies often have slightly misshapen heads due to the birth process and their soft skulls, but this is usually not a cause for concern. However, if the baby’s head shape does not change or grow, parents should look out for conditions such as craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly, which can cause deformities. In such cases, seeking medical attention is important. The doctor may suggest helmet therapy or surgery as a treatment option, with the latter carrying greater risks but providing faster results.
