is a condition
characterized by the flattening on one side of the back of the head. This is due to the distortion of skull plates. 80% of skull growth takes place in the first year of life and slows after the child turns 18 months old. Skull fuses at around 18-24 month of age.
Possible Causes
- untreated torticollis
- preferred sleeping position
- premature birth
- multiple births (e.g., twins, triplets etc.)
- fetal positions for birth (e.g. inter-uterine, breech etc.)
- birth trauma
- assisted birth and more…
Types of Flat Head Syndrome
Plagiocephaly
- Most common type of flat head syndrome, also known as deformational or positional plagiocephaly
- Head shape resembles a parallelogram from top view
- Facial asymmetry might be present (shift in positions of ears, differing sizes of eyes and/or cheeks)
- Asymmetrical (misshapen) head shape results from repeated pressure to the same area causing flatness on one side
Brachycephaly
- Head is abnormally wider than it’s length.
- Flattened back of head visible from side view and head shape resembles a trapezoid from above
- Head can be high at the back causing a bulging forehead visible from side view
- Widest part of head is just above ears
- Tips of ears protrude
- Face appears smaller to size of head
Asymmetrical Brachycephaly
- Combination of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly
- Facial asymmetry (where ears and eyes might appear mis-aligned)
- Head is excessively wider and taller than normal with sloped forehead
Scaphocephaly
- Characterised by a long and narrow head shape, often due to constant positioning of the baby on one side
- Deformity of proportion
- Premature babies are particularly prone to this as their skulls are fragile and side-lying positions are used in neonatal intensive care for easy access to monitors and other medical equipment
More Resources
How is flat head treated? 
Does my baby have flat head? 
Frequently Asked Questions 
Early Prevention