Re: Brachycephaly - how is that different from plagiocephaly?

June 25, 2008

Hi -

I can help with the explanation for the differences of brachy and

plagio. Brachy is when the head is as wide or wider than it is long

(a " normal " head should be 1/3 longer than it is wide). The cause is

usually just too much time on the back while sleeping, in a swing,

bouncey seat or carseat carrier. There is usually very little facial

asymmetry as the flat spot is usually more directly on the back of

the head (as opposed to one side like plagio), it just appears

wider. However, some cases of brachy can have mild forehead bossing

or ear asym, but not usually as significant as plagio.

For repositioning, tummy time and keeping him up off his head as

much as possible is really key (using an infant carrier while

shopping instead of the carseat carrier, etc.). Also, getting him to

lay on his sides would add counter pressure to help encourage growth

in the back of his head, but it can be difficult to keep them in

that position. Hopefully someone with more experience with repo and

brachy can chime in with more details (my son had plagio, so I might

not know all the tricks of the trade with regards to brachy). I have

heard that brachy can be harder to correct with repositioning, but I

might be wrong there.

Good luck!

Jake-21m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DOCBand #2 3 weeks)

Jordan-4

>

> My daughter just graduated after wearing a helmet for 6 months to

> correct her plagiocephaly. Now, my 10 week old nephew was

diagnosed

> with brachycephaly. How is that different from plagio in respect

to

> repositioning, treatment, facial asymmetries, etc? What does my

sister

> need to do to try to correct this so that he doesn't have to wear

a

> helmet also? And what are the causes for brachy? My daughter has

tort,

> which caused her flat spot, but what could be causing brachy?

>

> Thank you very much for all answers and advice!

>

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