Brachycephaly
Encyclopedia
Brachycephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, is a type of cephalic disorder
. This can result from premature fusion of the coronal sutures (see craniosynostosis
) or from external deformation (see plagiocephaly
). The coronal suture is the fibrous joint that unites the frontal bone
with the two parietal bone
s of the skull. The parietal bones form the top and sides of the skull. This feature can be seen in Down syndrome
.
The incidence of brachycephaly has increased dramatically since the advent of sudden infant death syndrome
recommendations for parents to keep their babies on their backs. Many pediatricians remain unaware of the issue and possible treatments. Treatments range from a simple repositioning of babies below the age of 5 months or more involved treatment with a helmet for children under the age of 18 months.
Brachycephaly also describes a developmentally normal type of skull with a high cephalic index
, such as in snub-nosed breeds of dog such pug
s and bulldog
s or cats such as the Persian, Exotic and Himalayan
. There are also cases of brachycephaly associated with plagiocephaly
, this deformity occurs when there is a combination of brachycephaly and plagiocephaly
present. Brachycephaly with plagiocephaly
is positional and has become more prevalent since the "Back to Sleep" Campaign.The Back to Sleep campaign began in 1994 as a way to educate parents, caregivers, and health care providers about ways to reduce the risk for sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS). The campaign was named for its recommendation to place healthy babies on their backs to sleep. Placing babies on their backs to sleep reduces the risk for SIDS, also known as "crib death." This campaign has been successful in promoting infant back sleeping and other risk-reduction strategies to parents, family members, child care providers, health professionals, and all other caregivers of infants.
Cephalic disorder
Cephalic disorders are congenital conditions that stem from damage to, or abnormal development of, the budding nervous system...
. This can result from premature fusion of the coronal sutures (see craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull prematurely fuses by ossification, thereby changing the growth pattern of the skull...
) or from external deformation (see plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion of the skull.-Causes:It is a common finding at birth and may be the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment. If there is premature union of skull bones, this is more properly called craniosynostosis...
). The coronal suture is the fibrous joint that unites the frontal bone
Frontal bone
The frontal bone is a bone in the human skull that resembles a cockleshell in form, and consists of two portions:* a vertical portion, the squama frontalis, corresponding with the region of the forehead....
with the two parietal bone
Parietal bone
The parietal bones are bones in the human skull which, when joined together, form the sides and roof of the cranium. Each bone is roughly quadrilateral in form, and has two surfaces, four borders, and four angles. It is named from the Latin pariet-, wall....
s of the skull. The parietal bones form the top and sides of the skull. This feature can be seen in Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
.
The incidence of brachycephaly has increased dramatically since the advent of sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by medical history, and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. An infant is at the highest risk for SIDS during sleep, which is why it is sometimes...
recommendations for parents to keep their babies on their backs. Many pediatricians remain unaware of the issue and possible treatments. Treatments range from a simple repositioning of babies below the age of 5 months or more involved treatment with a helmet for children under the age of 18 months.
Brachycephaly also describes a developmentally normal type of skull with a high cephalic index
Cephalic index
Cephalic index is the ratio of the maximum width of the head multiplied by 100 divided by its maximum length ....
, such as in snub-nosed breeds of dog such pug
Pug
The pug is a "toy" breed of dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, and a compact square body with well-developed muscle. They have been described as multum in parvo , referring to the pug's personality and...
s and bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
s or cats such as the Persian, Exotic and Himalayan
Himalayan (cat)
The Himalayan cat is a breed of long-haired cat identical in type to the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes and its point coloration, which were derived from the crossing of the Persian with the Siamese...
. There are also cases of brachycephaly associated with plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion of the skull.-Causes:It is a common finding at birth and may be the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment. If there is premature union of skull bones, this is more properly called craniosynostosis...
, this deformity occurs when there is a combination of brachycephaly and plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion of the skull.-Causes:It is a common finding at birth and may be the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment. If there is premature union of skull bones, this is more properly called craniosynostosis...
present. Brachycephaly with plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion of the skull.-Causes:It is a common finding at birth and may be the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment. If there is premature union of skull bones, this is more properly called craniosynostosis...
is positional and has become more prevalent since the "Back to Sleep" Campaign.The Back to Sleep campaign began in 1994 as a way to educate parents, caregivers, and health care providers about ways to reduce the risk for sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by medical history, and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. An infant is at the highest risk for SIDS during sleep, which is why it is sometimes...
(SIDS). The campaign was named for its recommendation to place healthy babies on their backs to sleep. Placing babies on their backs to sleep reduces the risk for SIDS, also known as "crib death." This campaign has been successful in promoting infant back sleeping and other risk-reduction strategies to parents, family members, child care providers, health professionals, and all other caregivers of infants.