No need to say how much the parents are worried, noticing any deviations in the development of their crumbs. Skull deformity in children for many mothers and fathers is a very serious cause for concern. However, in some cases, these experiences are in vain, since the phenomenon is associated with the natural development of the child. However, parents need to monitor the size of the circumference of the child’s head, deformations of the cranium. In some cases, observation will help to identify a dangerous pathology at an early stage. So let's deal with all the problems that concern new parents.
Head circumference in an infant
In the first 12 months of his life, the baby is rapidly growing and developing. The process also applies to the baby’s head - during this period, the diameter of his skull should increase by several centimeters!
The highest activity of this stage is observed in the first half of life. In a one-month-old baby, in comparison with a newborn, the diameter of the cranium will increase by 2 cm! This process slows down only by the 4th month of life.
Parents sometimes think that the fetus has a big head. There is nothing pathogenic and scary. The correct proportions of the baby's body will find only one year. But at the 15-16th week of life, his chest and head will be at all the same diameter.
What are the norms of the circumference of the skull in a newborn?
The norm of the head circumference of a newborn baby is 35 cm. However, taking into account individual characteristics, the diameter of the cranium will be normal within 32-38 cm. Further observation is carried out taking into account the size of the head circumference at birth.
If the indicators are slightly higher than normal, then, accordingly, during the subsequent development, a small increase will be normal. If the head size at birth is less than the standard, then this should be taken into account when analyzing development indicators.
A table with the size of the head of a child
The table "Head circumference of a child by months" specially compiled by scientists helps a lot here. You can read it in the article. The table not only shows the norm for a certain age, but deviations from it, which are not pathological.
However, the table "Head circumference of the child by months" is not able to reflect the individual characteristics of each crumbs. Therefore, measurements should be made only by a pediatrician, analyzing the results for a specific baby.
Each parent can independently calculate the normality of increasing the size of the cranium of his child as he grows and develops:
- In children 0-6 months, the fastest increase in the diameter of the head. Every month, it normally increases by 1.5-2 cm.
- Normal in infants 0.5-1 years old is considered to be an increase in head circumference by 0.5-1 cm every month.
Pathological and non-dangerous deviations in head size
Why is it so important to track the increase in the diameter of the head of the baby? Too small or too large can indicate a serious illness. But not always deviations are pathological in nature. The main reasons are as follows:
- Hydrocephalus. This is a pathologically large head in a newborn. Congenital malformations in which dropsy of the brain begins. It leads to a swelling of the fontanel in the baby, an increase in the size of the skull, a characteristic protrusion on the head of a venous network. The danger of vice is that it can lead to serious neurological disorders, and to death.
- Microcephaly. With this pathology, the baby, on the contrary, has a very small head. A closed fontanel does not allow the skull to enlarge. Such a developmental delay is fraught with a wide range of consequences.
- The consequences of birth trauma. One common reason. When passing the birth canal, the child could touch not only the internal tissues of the mother, but also hit through their thickness on the bone with his head. Injury leads to the appearance of edema. In most cases, this consequence goes away on its own during the day. But a certain percentage of children require serious treatment. Puffiness at some point makes the child’s head larger than normal.
- Hereditary factor. If most members of your family have a slightly larger or smaller head, then there is nothing surprising in the fact that the newborn heir will boast of a similar feature. You should warn your pediatrician about this fact.
An uneven head is normal!
From sizes we will pass to deformations of a skull in children. Experts tell us: an uneven head in an infant is an absolutely normal occurrence!
The fact is that the fetal organism, like its mother, is also preparing for the upcoming birth. That is why, until the very birth of wisdom, nature leaves the bones of the child’s skull soft. This helps him more easily pass through the narrow birth canal.
If a woman gave birth to a baby in a natural way, his head is normally slightly deformed or enlarged. Children born as a result of cesarean section, as a rule, will not have such a feature.
The flat head in infants is slightly extended at birth, which leads to deformations of the skull in children, the appearance of small irregularities. There is no need to worry here. In the process of development and growth, the asymmetry will pass, and the irregularities will smooth out.
The round and even shape of the baby's head becomes only one year old. And the final circumference of the skull in most children is formed only by school age.
Why is the child’s skull deformed?
Deformation of the skull in the baby can occur not only at birth. Sometimes parents notice that in the process of development, the cranium of the child unnaturally changed. What happened?
Consider the most common cases:
- Strongly elongated or beveled nape. The head may be uneven, flattened, and its size ceases to correspond to normal. What does this type of skull shape indicate? The thing most often is that the baby is too long in the same lying position. At the same time, newborns have the peculiarity of tilting the head to a certain side. This leads to the development of cranial deformity in children.
- The baby's skull bones remain soft for a long time. This is provided by nature for a reason: the feature allows the brain to develop freely and protects the child from injuries. Therefore, if he often turns his head in a certain direction, lies on one side, all this can affect the shape of his skull. Moms always move the child from one position to another, put him in different directions from the object of interest.
- Do not forget about the fontanel. This is the area on the head characterized by elastic soft tissues. While the fontanel is open, it has not dragged on, the shape of the child’s skull can sometimes significantly change. The head becomes skewed or flat if the baby just lay in the same position for a long time. Therefore, parents should always pay attention to this fact so that in the future an adult child does not blame them for their disproportionate shape of the skull.
When does the danger of deformation pass?
Do not think that you will always have to follow how often the baby turns his head to the right or left, on which side he often lies. Pediatricians reassure: deformation of the skull in the baby is a phenomenon characteristic of the period when it can only lie.
As soon as the baby learns to sit down, begins to spend more time in an upright position, the situation will change. As a rule, already at the 2-3rd month of life, the baby's skull becomes noticeably more equal, deformations disappear, and the head gradually begins to acquire a constant regular shape.
By the way, the reverse problem here will be too fast overgrowth of fontanels. The skull box in this case becomes prematurely stiff. Of course, this earlier relieves the baby from the danger of skull deformation, but it is fraught with another. The child suffers from increased intracranial pressure.
Pathological causes of deformation
We have sorted out common harmless cases. However, deformation of the shape of the skull in children can occur for serious reasons:
- Rickets.
- Neck curvature.
- Hematoma.
We consider each of the situations in detail.
Rickets
Rickets is a disease that is still common in young children today. Deformation of the shape of the head is one of its most common manifestations.
The cause of rickets is a lack of calcium in the body. Because of this, the baby slowly grows and develops, its bones are weak and fragile. Another consequence is that fontanelles do not overgrow for a long time. Therefore, the cranial bones remain soft even in a relatively large child. And, as a result, they remain subject to deformation longer.
Treatment is prescribed in the form of taking preparations containing calcium and vitamin D. It is important to introduce foods rich in these elements into the baby’s diet, more often to be with him in the fresh air.
Neck curvature
The child constantly turns, tilts the head in one direction, which eventually causes him to deform the cranium. However, you need to figure out why he does this.
The reason is not always the force of habit. Often this behavior is a sign of cervical vertebra curvature. What should parents do in this case? Visit your child surgeon or neurologist as soon as possible. The specialist will prescribe a treatment that effectively copes with the problem in the early stages.
Hematoma
A hematoma is the accumulation of blood or other biological fluid at the sites of rupture of soft tissue cells. It can occur both under the skin and around the cranial bone. Such an education can greatly deform the small head of a newborn.
A hematoma can appear on his head as a result of a birth injury. This is especially true for large children, toddlers with a large cranium. Passing through the birth canal of the mother, he can easily be damaged about her internal organs, bones.
Not insured against hematomas on the head and children who were born by cesarean section. Then the baby abruptly switches from a comfortable environment to an external, completely different one. The stressful situation is reflected in the external integument. They become too susceptible, which is why any effect can damage them, cause the formation of a hematoma.
How to fix the deformation?
We found that deformation of the shape of the skull in infants is a common occurrence. However, with any problem that bothers you, it is best to see your pediatrician!
If the causes of deformation are not pathological, then it can easily be combated with it in a number of simple ways:
- Periodically change the position of the baby in the crib. As a rule, they put him on the back. Then tilt the head to the right or left. You can change its position along with the position of the body.
- Do not turn the child on its side completely. You can put a blanket under his left or right side in the supine position to change his position.
- When breastfeeding, the mother should ensure that each time she holds the baby with a different hand.
- Pediatricians are also advised to periodically turn the baby on his tummy. But at the same time, do not leave it for a second! There is a good chance that he can suffocate by burying his nose in a blanket or pillow.
- If you have already noticed a deformation, then change the location of the crib so that the beveled part is on the "uninteresting" side (for example, to the wall), and the baby no longer puts its head on it.
- It is advised to periodically change the location of the crib in the room so that the child can examine everything without freezing in the same position day after day.
- Do not let your baby fall asleep on a pillow or other soft elevation.
- In some cases, massage helps. However, for such help it is worth contacting only a qualified specialist.
Is treatment a helmet?
If the above tips do not correct the situation, then the asymmetry can be corrected using a special bandage, in a form similar to a helmet. The device gently acts on deformed zones for a certain time, returning them to their normal position.
The helmet is effective at the 4-6th month of life. And provided that the child wears it constantly for 12 weeks. Remove the device only for hygiene procedures. In addition, once a week or two parents adjust the size of the bandage, taking into account the fact that the child’s head increases.
Deformation of the shape of the skull in a baby in most cases will not be a dangerous symptom. It is possible to fight it by observing simple recommendations, wearing a special bandage.