Dolichocephaly: The least known cranial alteration
Flat head is one of the most common problems in newborns in the first months of life. One of these, however, is still too little known and underdiagnosed: dolichocephaly .
In this article I will explain what it is and how to identify it in order to prevent it or intervene promptly if your newborn is developing it.
What is dolichocephaly?
The term dolichocephaly comes from the Greek and means “ elongated head ”.
In fact, this type of flat head is characterized by an elongated and narrower head shape. Since it is often not very evident, dolichocephaly is the least known and least diagnosed postural cranial deformation .
How to spot it
To find out if the newborn is developing dolichocephaly, it is necessary to observe the head from above. It is possible to identify that the shape will be with a longer antero-postural diameter than normal and a shorter lateral-lateral diameter . In fact, the shape will be actually elongated.
Other postural deformations of the head
Dolichocephaly , as we have said, is the least known postural cranial deformation.
The most frequent ones are plagiocephaly and brachycephaly .
In the first case the head is characterised by a posterolateral flattening , while in the second case by a flattened posterior part of the head .
Causes of Cranial Alteration
Plagiocephaly is due to an incorrect posture assumed by the newborn due to muscle contractures or due to devices that hinder the movement of the neck (baby bouncer, plagiocephaly pillows, infant car seat).
Brachycephaly occurs when the baby stays in a supine position for too long, always resting on the back of the head.
What about dolichocephaly ?
This is created as a result of 3 incorrect postures assumed by the child while sleeping :
- Head rotated 90 degrees;
- Side-sleeping position (not recommended by SIDS guidelines);
- Prone (absolutely to be avoided due to the risk of SIDS).
Fortunately, the last of the 3 is the least likely. The other two positions are usually assumed by the newborn due to contractures in the neck and/or back . These are often due to intrauterine malpositions or complicated deliveries.
If the contractures are at the neck level, the child keeps his head rotated 90° and facing upwards.
If the contractures are also present in the back, the baby tends to arch his torso as well.
Induced dolichocephaly
In Egyptian populations, the practice of lengthening newborns' heads through bandages was particularly widespread. In fact, the malleability and rapid growth of the head in the first months of life was exploited to modify its appearance.
It was believed that this practice could increase the child's brain capacity, but there is no relationship between dolichocephaly and increased brain mass, nor of the latter with intelligence.
Fortunately, intentional cranial deformations are almost never practiced anymore.