What to do about flat heads: preventing and treating positional occipital flattening

Across Canada there has been an increasing incidence of positional occipital flattening. This increase appears to be related to the recent change in infant sleep position to supine. In this paper, two patterns of positional occipital flattening, positional plagiocephaly and positional brachycephaly, are outlined. While there is no evidence of long-term developmental or neurological problems that result from positional occipital flattening, the infant's appearance can be distressing to parents who will then seek treatment. Prevention of positional occipital flattening requires a community approach with timely screening and early intervention should the infant's skull appear flat. Treatment involves repositioning the infant coupled with physiotherapy if there is neck muscle involvement. Should repositioning alone be ineffective, a helmet or headband program may be implemented. Neuroscience nurses can work in partnership with the community to ensure prevention strategies are implemented and timely interventions initiated.