Plagiocephaly is a malformation of the head

marked by an oblique slant to the main axis

of the skull. However, the term may also be 

applied to any condition characterized by a

persistent flat spot on the back or side of the

head.

It is important to distinguish between the 

categories of abnormal head shapes:

​• Positional (or deformational) abnormal head shapes can be corrected without surgery by repositioning or cranial orthoses.

​• Sysnostotic abnormal head shape is caused by the premature closure of cranial sutures (known as craniosynostosis). Synostotic abnormal head shapes may require surgery. If left untreated, children with plagiocephaly, especially those with moderate to severe plagiocephaly, may experience other medical issues later in life.

A number of studies have associated the recent dramatic increase in the number of children with flat heads with the “back to sleep campaign”. Since more children are sleeping on their backs, the incidence of flattening has increased. This condition can be much worse on one side if a child preferentially sleeps with that side down. Positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, results from preferentially lying on one side of the head. Deformational brachycephaly is a flattening across the back of the head. These two conditions may sometimes occur together.

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Arimed strives to provide accurate and accountable results because the issues of abnormal head shape are very complex. If you have questions about your child’s head shape, call us for a consultation at one of our three convenient locations. Arimed employs the STARscanner LASER DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM™ to image and measure your child’s head primarily because of its accuracy, minimal invasiveness, reporting and data capabilities.