Brachycephaly: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Brachycephaly
| image          = [[File:Carpenter_Syndrome_3.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = A child with brachycephaly
| field          = [[Medical genetics]]
| synonyms        = Flat head syndrome
| symptoms        = Flattened back of the skull
| complications  = [[Developmental delay]], [[plagiocephaly]]
| onset          = [[Infancy]]
| duration        = Varies
| causes          = [[Premature closure of the coronal sutures]], [[positional plagiocephaly]]
| risks          = [[Premature birth]], [[multiple births]], [[torticollis]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[imaging studies]]
| differential    = [[Plagiocephaly]], [[craniosynostosis]]
| prevention      = [[Repositioning therapy]], [[tummy time]]
| treatment      = [[Helmet therapy]], [[physical therapy]]
| prognosis      = Generally good with treatment
| frequency      = Common
}}
== Brachycephaly ==
== Brachycephaly ==
 
[[File:PSM V52 D333 Brachycephalic and dolichocephalic types from the coast of zeeland.jpg|left|thumb|Diagram illustrating a brachycephalic skull compared to other skull shapes]]
[[File:PSM V52 D333 Brachycephalic and dolichocephalic types from the coast of zeeland.jpg|thumb|Diagram illustrating a brachycephalic skull compared to other skull shapes]]
 
Brachycephaly refers to the condition of having a short, broad head, characterized by a flattened posterior region. The term derives from the Greek words "brachys" meaning "short" and "kephale" meaning "head." Brachycephalic skull shape can be a natural anatomical variation but can also result from certain medical conditions or external pressures on the skull during developmental stages.
Brachycephaly refers to the condition of having a short, broad head, characterized by a flattened posterior region. The term derives from the Greek words "brachys" meaning "short" and "kephale" meaning "head." Brachycephalic skull shape can be a natural anatomical variation but can also result from certain medical conditions or external pressures on the skull during developmental stages.
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== Characteristics ==
== Characteristics ==
Brachycephaly is typically marked by:
Brachycephaly is typically marked by:
* A shortened anteroposterior diameter of the skull.
* A shortened anteroposterior diameter of the skull.
* Increased width of the skull.
* Increased width of the skull.
* Flattened occipital region (back of the head).
* Flattened occipital region (back of the head).
== Causes and Types ==
== Causes and Types ==
Brachycephaly can manifest in various forms, often based on the root cause:
Brachycephaly can manifest in various forms, often based on the root cause:
* '''Primary Brachycephaly''': A congenital condition, often resulting from premature fusion of the coronal sutures, known as [[craniosynostosis]].
* '''Primary Brachycephaly''': A congenital condition, often resulting from premature fusion of the coronal sutures, known as [[craniosynostosis]].
* '''Positional or Deformational Brachycephaly''': Occurs when an infant frequently rests on one part of the head, leading to a flat spot. It is usually temporary and can be rectified with changes in positioning.
* '''Positional or Deformational Brachycephaly''': Occurs when an infant frequently rests on one part of the head, leading to a flat spot. It is usually temporary and can be rectified with changes in positioning.
* '''Brachycephaly in Pets''': Some animal breeds, like the Pug or Persian cat, naturally have brachycephalic skulls. This trait can sometimes lead to health issues, such as breathing difficulties.
* '''Brachycephaly in Pets''': Some animal breeds, like the Pug or Persian cat, naturally have brachycephalic skulls. This trait can sometimes lead to health issues, such as breathing difficulties.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment approaches depend on the cause and severity of the condition:
Treatment approaches depend on the cause and severity of the condition:
* '''Positional Brachycephaly''': Often managed by repositioning the infant, utilizing specialized pillows, and encouraging tummy time.
* '''Positional Brachycephaly''': Often managed by repositioning the infant, utilizing specialized pillows, and encouraging tummy time.
* '''Craniosynostosis''': Requires surgical intervention to prevent complications and promote normal brain development.
* '''Craniosynostosis''': Requires surgical intervention to prevent complications and promote normal brain development.
== Complications ==
== Complications ==
In severe cases, if untreated, brachycephaly can lead to:
In severe cases, if untreated, brachycephaly can lead to:
* Pressure on the brain.
* Pressure on the brain.
* Facial deformities.
* Facial deformities.
* Cognitive and developmental delays.
* Cognitive and developmental delays.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Craniosynostosis]]
* [[Craniosynostosis]]
* [[Plagiocephaly]]
* [[Plagiocephaly]]
* [[Scaphocephaly]]
* [[Scaphocephaly]]
* [[Dolichocephaly]]
* [[Dolichocephaly]]
== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>
* Harris, J. & Stewart, R. (2014). ''Brachycephaly: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments''. Journal of Craniofacial Research.
* Harris, J. & Stewart, R. (2014). ''Brachycephaly: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments''. Journal of Craniofacial Research.
* Thompson, M. (2017). ''Positional Skull Deformities in Infants''. Pediatric Insights.
* Thompson, M. (2017). ''Positional Skull Deformities in Infants''. Pediatric Insights.
[[Category: Medical Conditions]]
[[Category: Medical Conditions]]
[[Category: Skull Shapes]]
[[Category: Skull Shapes]]
[[Category: Pediatric Medicine]]
[[Category: Pediatric Medicine]]
{{stb}}
{{stb}}

Latest revision as of 19:28, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Brachycephaly
Synonyms Flat head syndrome
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Flattened back of the skull
Complications Developmental delay, plagiocephaly
Onset Infancy
Duration Varies
Types N/A
Causes Premature closure of the coronal sutures, positional plagiocephaly
Risks Premature birth, multiple births, torticollis
Diagnosis Physical examination, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis Plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis
Prevention Repositioning therapy, tummy time
Treatment Helmet therapy, physical therapy
Medication N/A
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Brachycephaly[edit]

Diagram illustrating a brachycephalic skull compared to other skull shapes

Brachycephaly refers to the condition of having a short, broad head, characterized by a flattened posterior region. The term derives from the Greek words "brachys" meaning "short" and "kephale" meaning "head." Brachycephalic skull shape can be a natural anatomical variation but can also result from certain medical conditions or external pressures on the skull during developmental stages.

Characteristics[edit]

Brachycephaly is typically marked by:

  • A shortened anteroposterior diameter of the skull.
  • Increased width of the skull.
  • Flattened occipital region (back of the head).

Causes and Types[edit]

Brachycephaly can manifest in various forms, often based on the root cause:

  • Primary Brachycephaly: A congenital condition, often resulting from premature fusion of the coronal sutures, known as craniosynostosis.
  • Positional or Deformational Brachycephaly: Occurs when an infant frequently rests on one part of the head, leading to a flat spot. It is usually temporary and can be rectified with changes in positioning.
  • Brachycephaly in Pets: Some animal breeds, like the Pug or Persian cat, naturally have brachycephalic skulls. This trait can sometimes lead to health issues, such as breathing difficulties.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment approaches depend on the cause and severity of the condition:

  • Positional Brachycephaly: Often managed by repositioning the infant, utilizing specialized pillows, and encouraging tummy time.
  • Craniosynostosis: Requires surgical intervention to prevent complications and promote normal brain development.

Complications[edit]

In severe cases, if untreated, brachycephaly can lead to:

  • Pressure on the brain.
  • Facial deformities.
  • Cognitive and developmental delays.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

<references/>

  • Harris, J. & Stewart, R. (2014). Brachycephaly: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Journal of Craniofacial Research.
  • Thompson, M. (2017). Positional Skull Deformities in Infants. Pediatric Insights.
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