Diagram showing brachycephaly , a short, wide head, often caused by premature closure of both coronal sutures. Surgical treatment involves removing bone from both coronal sutures. Surgery is ideally performed before nine months of age. In children with multiple affected sutures or with sagittal craniosynostosis, surgery is performed prior to three months of age. Infants with positional deformities may present with a number of different head shapes.
Deformities result from positioning during pregnancy, sleeping position, or from neck tightness.
An asymmetrical skull can result in asymmetries of the face causing various functional problems that affect chewing, speech, breathing, and vision. Some of these infants can be managed with just positioning, such as changing their sleeping position. If the deformity persists, however, treatment may be necessary. Ideally, the treatment is begun during the first six months of life. The band is worn 23 hours a day and requires 3- 4 months of wear.