Causes of development and treatment of a flat nape. What to do if an infant has an uneven head, how to fix it

Dr. Stephen Juan is a “wizard of the weird”, scientist, teacher, journalist and anthropologist. In The Oddities of Our Body, he reveals the many mysteries of the human being.

From top to bottom, outside and inside, right and left, our entire body is a complete mystery. Birth and death, an accident and a happy event, the reality of getting sick and the ability to survive in a critical situation, how we are designed - everything you would like to know about your body, and even what you have no idea or think about, is explained in in the pages of his book, Dr. Stephen Juan. Dwarfs and giants, the rarest genetic anomalies, debunking or affirmation of popular opinions, problems of illness and longevity - how much this book contains!

The author either seriously or with humor answers any questions from readers, even the most naive or stupid ones. Although the text contains many references to scientific research, the book is easy and interesting to read.

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Is it possible to give the skull a different shape?

We all know that your face can be changed. But much less is known about head shape change, which is a reality.

The human skull in its normal, natural form fits its purpose perfectly and requires no modification. This is truly an amazing creation of engineering art. Despite popular belief, the skull is not made of just one bone. The human head is formed by 22 bones, not counting the teeth. The average adult human skull is approximately 21.59 centimeters high, 17.78 centimeters long and 15.24 centimeters wide. Skull height is often used as a basis for measuring the rest of the body. The 8 parts that make up the skull surround and perfectly protect the brain. In addition to the brain, the skull also protects the eyes, while improving our ability to see, as well as the mechanism of the inner ear so that we can hear even if our outer ear is cut off (although we will not hear as well). Interestingly, the skull bones have jagged edges that interlock with the edges of the adjacent bone, stronger than any jigsaw puzzle. These edges - the sutures of the skull - do not represent any single pattern and are individual for each person, like fingerprints.

Of course, there are a lot of other interesting facts about the human skull, but let’s return to the question: why did someone need to change this masterpiece of nature?

Recently, a woman who had just given birth asked a Sydney doctor: “Doctor, can you change the shape of my baby’s head? She's so ugly! The doctor tried to convince her that the baby's head was normal: many children are born with a rather shapeless head, which as they grow takes on a “more acceptable” shape in relation to the rest of the body. In other words, she had nothing to worry about. And yet, this answer did not suit the young mother - she wanted her child’s head to be beautiful right now.

In fact, the doctor could do something to help her, and although it would be unethical for him to do so, people began doing this thousands of years ago. We are talking about shaping the head, or “intentionally changing the skull.” In the field of plastic surgery, this is called “non-operative cranioplasty.” The result of the procedure is as follows: the shape of the skull changes, acquiring the desired image.

Shaping the head for a variety of reasons is a practice, " rooted in ancient times and widely used"in many societies. So says Dr. F. O. Adebonojo, a plastic surgeon at East Tennessee State University, who wrote an article about it in Journal of the American Medical Association eleven . Head shaping was carried out in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Interestingly, this was not practiced by the ancient aborigines of Australia. Such manipulations with the skull were carried out at least 2 thousand years BC on the Mediterranean islands of Crete and Cyprus, as well as in Ancient Egypt.

In order to successfully form the desired skull, it is necessary to begin this when the bones that form it are still soft and plastic. In most cultures where such an operation was common practice, the formation process began a few days after the birth of the child. This required external influence. For example, among the Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia, long heads were considered a sign of beauty, so the baby's head was placed between two planks and tied tightly with twine. Thus began the process of lengthening. After some time, the head was tied even more tightly between the planks, strengthening the oblong shape. All this lasted about 3 months, sometimes a little longer, until the desired length was achieved.

The ancient Incas of Peru had a tradition according to which naturally long heads were lengthened, and short ones were made even shorter. Beauty was dictated by natural characteristics that should be emphasized and exaggerated, whatever they may be.

Sometimes people shaped the heads of their children for reasons other than beauty. For example, in Tahiti and Hawaii, only the ruling class could change the shape of their heads. Thus, members of the ruling class could be easily distinguished from any subject.

In some cultures, the head shape was changed only in one sex. For example, the famous Greek physician Hippocrates (460–377 BC) reports that the Greek aristocracy used “head compression” on their young daughters. It is assumed that the purpose of this procedure was to increase the attractiveness of women to men and reduce their intelligence, since such deformation entailed its suppression. If this is true, then shaping the head of the ancient Greeks served the same purpose as reducing the size of the feet of women in Ancient China.

This is what Dr. Adebonojo writes about societies that practiced head shaping: “ The scope of deliberate deformation was quite wide, ranging from extremes that created a grotesque appearance of the skull to small, unnoticeable changes" However, according to Dr. Adebonojo, head shaping appears to be a completely safe practice since it does not change the weight of the cranial vault, its volume or affect intellectual abilities.

In modern medicine there is also an area in which skull modification techniques are useful. As Dr. Adebonojo writes, “ Some plastic surgeons have already decided to use techniques from the past to correct certain craniofacial deformities." A classic article on this topic appeared in an issue of Lancet for 1973 12. Three surgeons from the New York University School of Medicine, under the direction of Dr. F. Epstein, describe the treatment of 5 small patients suffering from hydrocephalus. They write that their treatment " based on the assumption that reducing cranial expansion by compression binding will increase cerebrospinal fluid absorption…».

Moreover, “non-operative cranioplasty” is sometimes used to treat children with various types of cranial and facial birth defects. For example, today in the West the second most common defect of this kind is hemifacial microsomia (Goldenhar syndrome). About 1 in 3,500 children are born with it. In this case, the eye, ear, cheek, jaw and one side of the face are deformed. The manifestations of this syndrome vary: some children may have a cleft palate or problems with internal organs and systems, others suffer from mental retardation. Such defects often require surgery to correct the shape of the skull. However, today's techniques are much more complex than two planks and string.

In any case, just as we change the shape of our nose, we are able to change the shape of our skull 14.

Why does the child have such an irregular head shape? For what reason?

Only in rare cases are the causes genetic or hereditary.

For the most part, the mechanism for the appearance of an abnormal head shape is associated with the position of the fetus in the womb and the process of childbirth.

In the womb, in the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s head “rests” against the mother’s stomach, which creates an asymmetry in the shape of the skull. Features of the structure of the maternal pelvis, the structure of the sacrum and the angle it forms, features of the birth process, these are the main reasons that influence the shape of the child’s head.

The natural behavior of a baby who has suffered during childbirth will be to seek a comfortable position to relieve tension in the tissues. He will tend to turn his head to the left or right, or throw it back. (Very often, this position of the head is caused by congenital torticollis, which I call “false torticollis”, since it does not have all the clinical signs. In fact, this is an analgesic position in relation to the tension caused by cranial asymmetry. Therefore, differential diagnosis is very important, as how in each case the main treatment will be different. In case of true congenital torticollis, treatment is carried out by a kinesitherapist, and then by an osteopath (in that order) or both at the same time. In case of false torticollis, priority is given to the osteopath, who himself can get rid of this problem.)

What do parents do?

When parents see that the child is lying on the same cheek, they allow him to do so, taking care of his comfort. Thus, with the “consent of the parents,” the child consolidates or aggravates the asymmetry of the skull. The bones of the skull are very soft and flexible, and the skull is capable of deforming under its own weight.

What should parents do?

The work of an osteopath is necessary, but 80% of the success of treatment will depend on the parents. If the skull is severely deformed, the doctor cannot fix anything alone. A thirty-minute session once a week will not correct the situation if, in 7 or 15 days following the session, the baby lies in his favorite position and no one controls his position.

The success of the treatment will depend on three people. From the mother or nanny, the osteopath and the baby himself. Mothers need to use a special device that allows the child to maintain exactly the position recommended by the osteopath. It is useful for up to 5 months. To begin with, they put it on during daytime sleep and make sure that the child does not throw it off until he gets used to it. From birth to one month, the child allows this to be done and maintains the position in which he is placed. From one to two months it is already more difficult. After three months this will become impossible, as the child will become very mobile.

The support device must fit snugly to support the head in the desired position. The child should not be able to move his head freely. Required for security reasons. For the baby to sleep on his back. But a lateral position is also possible if, as a precaution, the child is under constant supervision to avoid the slightest risk. In this way, it is possible to give a gentle position to the deformed side of the skull, thereby ensuring its correction.

When the baby lies on his back, the mother stimulates, as often as possible, rotation of the head in the direction opposite to the baby’s favorite. This can be done with the help of toys or by turning the baby 90 degrees from the stimulus toy.

If mom follows all my instructions correctly, then progress becomes obvious from session to session, even with pronounced asymmetries. The more diligent the mother is, the sooner the success of the treatment is visible, the fewer sessions are required for correction. In general, asymmetries can be corrected.

Is correction of skull asymmetry necessary only for aesthetic reasons?

Of course, aesthetics should not be neglected, although hair will hide many of the irregularities of the skull. But not only asymmetry is the reason for a visit to an osteopath. And that's why.

The fundamental principle that should be followed is this: any asymmetry in one part of the skull is reflected in the entire head, which also becomes asymmetrical.

The head is not only the bones of the skull, it is also our sense organs, our receptors: eyes, nose, mouth, ears.

What is the connection between asymmetry and receptors?

Eyes

They are located inside two bony orbits, left and right. To ensure normal vision, at least a minimum of symmetry of one eye relative to the other is necessary.

Normal vision is impossible if there is a violation of the symmetry of the facial part of the skull. If correction is not made, the child may develop functional strabismus, hypermetropia, astigmatism or early myopia.

Ears

The ears are located on the temporal bones and should normally be symmetrical.

Dr. V. Fraiman writes that the axes of the temporal bones normally intersect at the level of the body of the sphenoid (the main bone of the skull) bone in the area of ​​the sella turcica. When one ear is asymmetrical in relation to the other, this axis loses its central position.

The osteopathic concept says that imbalance creates the conditions for hearing impairment at a certain stage of life. I believe that such a damaging factor is the “cause of causes” for the occurrence of the so-called “primary lesion”, which can give rise to purulent otitis media, chronic otitis media, a violation of spatial orientation, in which the child becomes awkward and has poor control of his body. Other pathologies may appear at the level of the ear, nose and throat.

Nose

Located along the central axis of the face. In fact, it consists of two parts, left and right, separated from each other by a partition. If the skull is symmetrical, the nose will be located strictly in the center, and its parts will function harmoniously. The harmony of function will be disrupted if the nose is displaced, i.e. the symmetry of the face will be disrupted. The central bone of the nose and its lateral partitions, being asymmetrical, will make it difficult for air to pass through the nose. The moisture content of the nasal mucosa will decrease. The bactericidal property of the mucous membrane will be less effective, which will lead to permanent sinusitis, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis, etc.

Mouth

The oral cavity has a hard palate, divided into four parts. The oral cavity will also be affected by the asymmetry of the skull. If the left side of the palate is asymmetrical in relation to the right, then the symmetry between the jaws is disturbed and teeth bite problems arise. The swallowing process may be impaired. In 90% of cases, a child will be doomed to wear a special orthodontic apparatus or braces. Jaw deformation may occur and the jaw may shift to one side or the other. Over time, this can create problems at the temporomandibular joint level with difficulty opening and closing the mouth, clicking sounds when chewing, and yawning.

Spinal column

He also needs symmetry. The head rests on the first cervical vertebra. It is not for nothing that he bears the name Atlanta. On it lies the lower bone of the skull, the occipital bone. It is the occipital bone that suffers greatly during childbirth. It is she who is subjected to the strongest compressions, loads, and displacements. If the occipital bone is flattened, displaced anteriorly, posteriorly, to the right or left, or deviated from its central axis, that is, the balance is disturbed, all this will be reflected in the articular surfaces of the condyles with which the first cervical vertebra or atlas articulates. Atlas will try to compensate for the imbalance. It will adapt to imbalance. He is obliged to do this so that the person’s gaze remains horizontal and his head is placed straight. This is necessary for the semicircular canals of the inner ear, which provide balance to a person in motion.

All other vertebrae, both cervical, thoracic and lumbar, will adjust to compensate for the imbalance. False congenital torticollis and scoliosis will appear. For example, idiopathic scoliosis, i.e., scoliosis that does not have an obvious cause, may still have one: it can be provoked by “cranial scoliosis,” i.e., an imbalance at the level of the skull during childbirth.

This is why cranial asymmetry should not be ignored, mistakenly believing that this problem is associated only with aesthetics, and it will resolve itself - either by itself or by hair.

The skull and face are formed by the connection of many sutures and bones, which, articulating with each other, form an intelligent and coherent structure, homogeneous and functional.

It is quite obvious that the structure of the skull, due to its structure and shape, ensures the protection and functioning of everything that depends on it: organs, nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels. This is very important, since the senses and all sensitive receptors connect the newborn’s body with the environment. Vision, smell, hearing, taste and touch are senses that are directly or indirectly related to the entire set of structures and functions of the head.

What should you think about the shape of the skull?

Here are three examples taken from practitioners.

Example 1

Some children have an asymmetrical skull without any noticeable abnormalities. They feel well, eat with appetite, and sleep normally. They behave calmly and develop correctly. Osteopathic tests are almost normal at every level. Despite the asymmetrical shape of the head, a relative balance is possible between structure and function. The baby is not in danger of any health problems in the near future. But what happens next? As a teenager or adult? Over time, it is possible that some ailments may appear, the roots of which go back to asymmetry that no one has eliminated. If you eliminate cranial asymmetry, you can avoid big troubles in the future.

Example 2

Other babies have a relatively symmetrical skull shape. But osteopathic tests indicate dysfunction on many levels. This means that compensation and adaptation could not take place. This condition, whether large or small, disrupts the performance of certain functions. The baby may suffer from various minor health problems or ailments that cannot be classified as illness. In this case, with timely osteopathic treatment, it is easy to remove excess tissue tension and alleviate some symptoms and ailments.

Example 3

And finally, newborns often have obvious asymmetry of the skull and its facial part. Osteopathic tests confirm the presence of osteopathic lesions. These babies have less mobility of some spinal joints at different levels, including the sacroiliac. There is compression of the cranial sutures and overlapping of the skull bones. The bones of the skull experience various types of deformation: flattening, curvature, asymmetry. The equilibrium of the mutual tension membranes is disturbed. Their deformations are visible at the level of the skull and especially in the facial part. The process of compensation and adaptation is absent or ineffective. There is over-excitability and irritation, or, conversely, a decrease or complete absence of some functions in terms of their output, efficiency and competence. Every minute these disturbances interfere with the calm flow of life of the baby and his parents. Such children constantly suffer. You should not hesitate to treat them. We need to start by “correcting the shape” of the head, the asymmetry of which is the root of all evil.

How to find out about a person by their head shape? There are a large number of signs by which it becomes possible to distinguish an evil and selfish person from a kind and cheerful one.

At least, this is what adherents of folk superstitions, traditions, medicine, and so on say.

Let's consider the relationship between character and the shape of a person's head.

A certain shape of the back of the head (it is always hidden behind the hair), as well as its various areas, for a knowledgeable person, can say a lot about the development of a given person’s abilities, as well as the characteristics of his psyche.

What are the different shapes of the human head? and what do folk signs say about this, by physiognomic standards:

- If a person has the head is slightly larger relative to the body , then this person is slow, shameless, lazy, but brave. A certain person who likes to lie on the couch alternately watching something intimate and scary.

- If Although the head is large, it is proportional to the body , such a person is noble and generous. A kind of “Slavic wardrobe” in shining armor.

- If a large head is located on an equally large neck , then such a person is wise, truth-loving, faithful. Oh how you guessed it! It's all about me!

- If on the contrary - thin neck and small head - then this person is unfaithful, crafty, evil, weak in body. In general, a typical negative character!

— Oblong head shape is a sign of boredom and anger. An angry bore - it was always scary!

— Round head– impatience, inconstancy, anger, and sometimes crime. It would be funny if the judges announced “Guilty!” during the verdict. Since the defendant has a round head shape.”

— If a person has a forward face , then he is: weak in memory and body, but intelligent and judicious.

— Big and ugly head often indicates the shamelessness and bad character of its bearer.

— Disproportionately small - about the deceit, stupidity and weakness of character of its owner.

— Sharp top symbolizes vanity and criminal tendencies.

— Convex forehead- is an indicator of poor memory and stubbornness

— Developed back of the head - a sign of a good mind, courage and memory.

Unexpectedly for many, these statements were confirmed by modern psychologists; they generally agree with these statements.

Usually:

— High crown characteristic of successful people who strive to implement their plans and take action.

— Low crown- characterizes people with weak character and will.

— Convex a beautifully defined (but not protruding nape) is an indicator of a harmonious character.

— Back of the head - is an indicator of disharmony in character development.

Franz Gall (he is the founder of the science of phrenology) created a diagram in which he placed certain character traits on the human skull.

In his opinion, twenty-seven abilities of the soul are localized on the human skull:

1. Instinct to preserve the species.

2. Physical love.

3. Compassion, kindness.

4. Sense of personality.

5. The spirit of contradiction.

6. Resourcefulness, cunning.

7. Pride, arrogance.

8. Tendency to steal.

9. Prudence, foresight.

10. Ambition.

11. Tamability.

12. Innocence.

13. Good orientation in the area and memory of the area.

14. Memory for faces.

15. Speech.

16. Memory for names, words.

17. Artistic talents and sensitivity to colors.

18. Counting and arithmetic ability.

18. Musical talents and sensitivity to tones.

19 Ability for architecture, mechanics.

20. Wit.

21. Vivacity of thinking.

22. Ability for metaphysics.

23. Poetic talents.

24. Developed facial expressions, ability to imitate.

25. Good nature.

26. Religiosity.

27. Constancy, firmness.

Franz Gall assumed that numbers 3, 5, 9, 22, 23, 24 and 27 are characteristic only of representatives of the human race, and all others are characteristic of both humans and animals.

« Aristotle's treatise on physiognomy" - is the first European source that has survived to this day. In this treatise, Aristotle wrote the following about the size and shape of the head: “Those who have a large head are sensitive; this relates to dogs. Those who have a small head are insensitive; this correlates with pigs. Those whose heads taper upward are shameless; this correlates with birds having crooked talons. Those with small ears are like monkeys, large ones like donkeys; you can see that dogs have the most proportionate ears.”

All of the above, according to folk experts, is only the basis for understanding character, but by no means a complete picture of the inner world of a given person. For this reason, one should not make hasty conclusions about a person, guided only by the shape of the head, or any other signs, for example: eye color, hair, body structure, zodiac sign, age, and so on.

Maybe someone can objectively comment on this method of treatment? First of all, of course, I am interested in whether it is even possible for an adult to undergo manual correction of the skull and will there be any results from it? And even if there is a result, what is the likelihood that it will be long-lasting? Since orthodontics is expected at the final stage, I would not want the skull to return to where it was in a few years, thereby distorting the entire orthodontic treatment.
Thank you in advance for your response.

In addition, 5 months ago, my husband underwent lung surgery (pneumothorax after a rib fracture) - could this have worsened the deformation of the skull?

Which doctor should I contact?

Good afternoon My brother underwent cranioplasty after a stroke. Today, a depression and deformation have formed in the temporal region. It’s disturbing in the eyebrow area. Upon examination, the neurosurgeon said nothing was wrong. But the question is why this depression was formed?

Dear Natalia! Insignificant and not causing any other concern other than cosmetic, deformation of the skull bones in the area of ​​cranioplasty is not considered a complication of surgery. Apparently, your brother underwent craniotomy and subsequent plastic surgery of the defect, and these are very complex surgical interventions aimed primarily at a functional rather than a cosmetic result. In the described situation, the main thing is how the attending neurologist and neurosurgeon assess the patient’s neurological status. At the same time, your brother can always contact an additional neurosurgeon

A flat baby's head is a common condition that many parents struggle with. Flattening of the head can occur in a baby’s life only after he is born. How to care for a small head so that it becomes deformed? What to do if the problem has already arisen?

Plagiocephaly - flat back of the head in a child

Babies are born with a soft skull to adapt to the demands of rapid brain growth in the first year of life. This feature makes the heads of small children easily deformed. The flattening of the head is called plagiocephaly. A flat neck (pictured) usually occurs when your baby sleeps in the same position or has problems with his neck muscles. The syndrome does not affect brain development in any way and does not cause permanent changes in the child's appearance and, fortunately, does not require surgical intervention. Typically, simple procedures such as changing the baby's position during sleep, holding him in his arms and playing on his stomach have a positive effect on gradually reducing the deformation of the skull.

Why is the back of the head flat?

The most common cause of changes in the shape of the back of the head is prolonged pressure on the bones of the skull during sleep. Because babies spend a lot of time lying on their backs, their heads can become misshapen. In addition, children may be placed in devices that require a reclining or semi-reclining position (car seat, stroller, some baby carriers, swings, etc.).

Babies born prematurely are much more susceptible to flattening of the head. Their skulls are even softer than those of babies born on time. In addition, due to their prematurity and medical conditions requiring a stay in the intensive care unit, they spend even more time lying in one position with limited ability to change it.

Flat head syndrome can appear in children even before birth if the skull is depressed by the pelvic bone or multiple sibling pregnancies. Indeed, in many cases, twin children are born with flat head syndrome. The position of the fetus in the uterus can also sometimes cause the head to flatten.

Signs and symptoms

A flat nape in a baby is something that parents can easily recognize and notice. Typically the back of the head is flattened on one side and the amount of hair on that side is slightly less. Looking down at your baby's head, you may notice that the ear on the side that is flattened may be a little more protruding. In more serious cases, flattened head syndrome causes the head to develop a significant bulge on the opposite side of the flattened head and lead to an asymmetrical forehead in the baby.

Diagnosis

A doctor usually diagnoses a pars plana through visual assessment and observation of the patient. To detect torticollis, the doctor may observe how the baby's head moves and how he uses his neck muscles. X-rays and additional laboratory tests and studies are usually not needed. The doctor decides to monitor the child over several visits to observe changes in the shape of the head. If changes in sleeping position have a positive effect on the shape of the skull and the head begins to regain its round shape, then the problem is known to be plagiocephaly. If not, this may mean that the deformity is the result of another condition - craniosynostosis.

Treatment

If your child has a flat head caused by one sleeping position, there are several ways to reduce further deformation:

If the child has a very pronounced flat nape and the above methods do not improve the condition within 2-3 months, the doctor may prescribe a special helmet or a special shaping tape. However, helmets do not eliminate flat head syndrome in all children. A custom helmet works best when a baby is between 4 months and a year old, because then the baby grows faster and the skull bones are very malleable. The effect is that it puts gentle but constant pressure on the growing bones of the skull, causing them to assume a normal (rather than flattened) shape.

You should not use things like a helmet or shaping tape without consulting your doctor, as this may cause more harm to your baby. Only a small percentage of children need to wear a helmet, and the decision to use one is based on an individual assessment of the young patient and the doctor's diagnosis.

Orthopedic pillow for babies

For small children, special orthopedic pillows can be useful. According to the manufacturers, this medical product is responsible not only for the prevention of skull deformation, but also for its treatment. As a preventative measure, the baby can sleep on a specially designed pillow from the first days. It is also suitable for babies born prematurely. Thanks to its unique properties, the pillow allows the head to naturally acquire a round shape while sleeping on the back.

It is enough to place your head in the deepening of the pillow to promote its correct shape day after day. This product is recommended for children with asymmetry and torticollis as an addition to therapy. It is also an excellent support for premature babies and children after surgery, when the child remains in one forced position for a long time. It does not restrict the baby's movements and allows the head and neck to move freely. When using it, there is no need to change the position of the baby. The only “requirement” is to place his head in the recess of the pillow.