Flat head Syndrome is a condition that is comprised of plagiocephaly (when flat spots develop on the infant’s skull), torticollis (occurs when an infant’s neck muscles become tight on one side, causing a neck tilt) or a combination of both. Flat head syndrome is a serious condition that can lead to long-term consequences for baby. Current research suggests that many infants with flat head syndrome experience not only cosmetic abnormalities, but also varying degrees of developmental delays later in life. [Pediatrics 200; 105:e26] Additionally, on November 28, 2011 the AAP revised their stance on positional plagiocephaly and said this: “The new report, published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday (11/28), suggests that pediatricians should counsel new parents about how to avoid flat head syndrome when they bring their newborns in for their check-ups in the first 2 to 4 weeks of life. Until a baby is one year old, doctors should also screen for skull deformities at every wellness visit More than a million babies each year will be diagnosed with Flathead Syndrome in the USA alone. This number has increased over 600% since 1992, and affects nearly 48% of all babies 0-6 months old. This is largely a consequence of the combination of lifestyle changes in families and because babies now sleep on their backs. If not corrected in early infancy, expensive and unpleasant treatment options can sometimes follow.
