Babies sometimes develop a flattened head when they’re a few months old, usually as a result of them spending a lot of time lying on their back.
This is known as flat head syndrome, and there are 2 main types:
These conditions are quite common, affecting around 1 in every 5 babies at some point.
In most cases they aren’t a major cause for concern, it is considered more of a cosmetic issue than of a medical concern as they don’t have any effect on the brain and the head shape will often improve by itself over time.
Important things to consider include:
The shape of the baby’s head should improve naturally over time as their skull develops and they start moving their head, rolling around and crawling.
We give the following advice to parents to take pressure off the flattened part of the baby’s head:
In addition, the following may help:
Babies with static head circumference, or suspicion of premature fusion of the sutures should be referred urgently to paediatrics. Rapid access referrals can be sent via ERS marked as ‘urgent’
In first seizures (but not currently fitting), a referral to the first fit clinic can be made via ERS. Any child under one year of age with a non- febrile seizure should have urgent assessment and can be referred urgently to PAU via switchboard.
For other ‘Red Flags’, or in cases where parents need paediatric assessment for reassurance, please refer to General Paediatrics via ERS, with information on head circumference (including trend) and development. If you wish to discuss the need for referral, or urgency, please use Advice & Guidance on ERS in the first instance for discussion with a Consultant.
The following may be useful information for parents:
Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly (flat head syndrome) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly
