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What is Plagiocephaly? - 3 Types of Plagiocephaly
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Medical Dictionary Definition of Plagiocephaly: (n) A medical condition occurring in infants; distinguished by the reshaped, flattened, or deformed appearance of the skull. It develops as a result of constant pressure being placed on one area of the thin and flexible skull of an infant. Can be corrected if treated early; techniques involving cranial molding often provide best results.plagiocephaly, infants, causes, treatments, faqs, virginia, maryland, md, va, dc

Types of plagiocephaly: Plagiocephaly can be divides into many categories based on head shape.  Below are the two most common types.plagiocephaly, infants, causes, treatments, faqs, virginia, maryland, md, va, dc

Classic Plagiocephaly: Single-side flattening on the back or front of the head.
    Characteristics include (but are not limited to):
  • Parallelogram shaped head
  • Ear asymmetry
  • Pronounced cheek and forehead asymmetry
  • Top of the head may be tilted
  • Forehead may be angled
  • Back of one side of head is flattened
  • Abnormal length-width proportion
Brachycephaly: A complete flattening of the entire back of the head.
    Characteristics Include (but are not limited to):
  • Both quadrants of back of head are flat
  • Minimal facial asymmetry
  • Little or no ear asymmetry
  • Shortened head length
  • Apparent mostly from top and side
  • Side bulges may be present
  • Head may appear high and sloped
Less common is scaphocephaly (also known as dolichocephaly)  where the head is disproportionately long and narrow. Scaphocephaly can occur from the premature fusion of the sigittal suture or from external deformation, and it is more common among infants born prematurely.