Preemie Son's Head Shape Now He Is Older

I don't think his prematurity has anything to do with the shape of his head. My son was 8 weeks early and his head was round.

If it is causing this much concern consult a pediatric plastic surgeon and get their opinion. Not sure what they can do at this point. Might have been easier to make changes when he was much younger. It does sound like you weren't given the best medical advice and I understand how overwhelming it can be with a preemie.

This sounds like this is more a problem of your perception than it is for him (has anybody else mentioned it? Is he being teased? Does he himself feel like this is an issue). You say yourself that this has become a big deal to you, since you know it's there. There is a chance that other people or he himself barely even notice...
I would be VERY careful not to make this an issue that he may be self conscious about in the future.

There is no going back in time. There is quite some discussion in the medical community whether helmeting is beneficial in mild cases of plagio. There is the additional possibility that part of it is simply due to the natural form of his head... again nothing you can really do about.

Others have mentioned seeing a craniofacial surgeon. You could do this and get an eval.
Usually however surgery is only indicated if the plagio interferes with brain development or function of the facial features (vision etc.). It is EXTREMELY invasive and includes a removal of large parts of the skull, reshaping of the bones and putting them back in their place. I don't think anyone would want to do this just for vanity reasons or "having a normal head shape".

We all have little imperfections, so do our kids! I believe that it is important to accept and learn to love those, rather than occupying ourselves with striving for the perfect body, the perfect head shape or nose, big boobs or skinny thighs. Most people who do get the surgeries done to achive those, find it doesn't make them any happier in the long run.
Good luck.

Children change as they grow. Check things out with a different dr if you wish. I used to think my son's ears stuck out and now I look at him and they are perfectly fine. Also many children get a narrower appearing face if they have allergies and mouth breathe.

Hi –
I’m so sorry that your doctor was not proactive and that you feel guilt over this. :( I would say that it is NOT your fault - It is your pediatrician’s fault.

You can call and talk to someone from The Children's Hospital of Michigan Cleft-Craniofacial Anomalies team. They should be able to let you know if there is anything that can be done. “The Children's Hospital of Michigan Cleft-Craniofacial Anomalies team provides comprehensive care for children with cleft lip and palate, cranialsynostosis, head shape abnormalities, hemifacial microsomia and other facial syndromes” Website:
http://www.childrensdmc.org/search/?sid=1&cx=craniofa...

Arlene Rozzelle, MD, FACS, FAAP, Plastic/Craniofacial Surgeon
Chief, Plastic Surgery and Director, Cleft/Craniofacial Team
Children's Hospital of Michigan
Plastic Surgery
Third Floor, Carls Bldg
3901 Beaubien Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48201
###-###-#### (appts)
###-###-#### (fax)

Good Luck!!

I get that you notice this, but does anyone else see it as a problem?

You said "his head was narrow due to being born early" - says who? Maybe he just HAS a narrow head? I don't think flat spots change over time. I think either you have them, or you don't.

If you didn't notice this when he was younger, maybe this is just a "phase" - seriously. My children's faces have changed SO much since they were babies, just like their bodies. Sometimes they do look so different than just a year ago, I can hardly believe I haven't noticed the change until I look back at pictures.

I too have noticed faces (and bodies) going through phases of elongating, then they seem to stop elongating, but start to grow wider, thicker, chubbier. Then as soon as I notice, it seems another growth spurt hits and we're back to UP growing and not OUT.

My 1st child had a cute, cherubic face at age 4. When I look now at her 1st grade picture, I can't believe how long her face is. However, she's also grown UP so much too.

Unless you or your child feels he is deformed...I'm not sure how severe you think the asymmetry in his face is...I would just wait to see what happens next. He's only 6!

If you decide you want to take him for an evaluation by a specialist, just please DON'T talk in front of him. Come up with some reason he needs to see the doctor. Don't make him feel self conscious...especially if it's something that you decide is too minor, costly or invasive to risk changing now.

NOTE: I have heard from others that "flat heads" that are minor really are only aesthetic when it comes to head shape. That when kids have hair, the hair covers the "flatness" - I guess very few people have perfectly round heads. I know several children who have worn helmets. In a couple of cases, there was a severe problem that definitely was causing facial distortions already at a young age, the other two, the flatness was like a huge dent and 1 other was a back of the head that prevented her from rolling on the back of her head because it was so indented.

I hope this helps you.

OOooh.. PLEASE don't be hard on yourself. How could you have known? You had an "expert" telling you it would all be ok. You trusted that he worked with children all the time and therefore knew better than you. I have a child with special needs. I have to rely on experts all the time. I do my own research too but my degree is in computer science not medicine or special ed or anything.

I may not know the outcome of my choices for my child for years to come. I too could sit here 5, 10, 20 years from now and say to myself "I wish we'd done..". But it will drive you insane.

**You do the best you can with the information you have at the time and that's all you can do!!**

Dont beat ur self up over this..you listened to your Dr...does he notice it? do others? have you asked a Dr (different one) if there is anything you can do? My youngest has a light birthmark right between her eyes, i see it all the time but no one else has ever mentioned it to me. Maybe it is not as bad as u think, u just notice it more because u know that it is there. But no matter what do not let ur self be overwhelmed with this, you did what u were told. Just make sure u love him (and NEVER mention it in front of him) and give him the best life possible..that is what he really needs.

I had the same problem with one of my triplets (who were 6.5 weeks early). My doctor told me that it would straighten out when he started moving more. It didn't. I switched doctors when the triplets were 18 months old and when I brought it up to the new doctor I was told that it should have been corrected when I had first mentioned it and it was to late to do anything about it. Brody's head is still misshaped and I can tell, but most people can't unless I point it out (they are almost 8). So as far as I know it is too late at this point. Do not feel guilty. Your doctor is the guilty one. You were misinformed by the person you trusted to know what they were doing. HUGS and good luck.

there are too many things to list for me to tell you how i wish i hadn't listened to the doctor. the narrow shape of the head is more prevalent due to the flat spot, which changes the proportions of the face. our doctor said the same thing: her flat spot is so small you won't notice plus she's a girl so long hair will cover it. i went with my gut and got her a cranial institute who then electronically explained to me what would happen to her eyes, chin, lips, cheeks if we didn't correct it. at that point, she was two months old, you could notice her face was narrow, or narrower to me and it bothered me. we were told such changes through the headband would occur only if she wore it before the age of 1. we did and the problem was corrected. this is one occasion i am proud of myself i did not listen to the doctor, but then there are countless others, i blame myself for not putting my foot down when in my gut i believed otherwise than what they were telling me. i live with those regrets. i hope you aren't too hard on yourself
seek opinions as other moms offered and suggested, for your sake mainly, because you sound down about this and you need to know all you did was listen to the professional advice.

Hi R.,

When my son was 3 months old I noticed his head was not shaped properly. As a baby he favored one side when laying down and cause a flat
spot at the back of his head. His head was sloped. At first, I thought my
eyes were playing tricks on me. It was a blessing I had a well visit for him a few days later. His ped saw it and explained to me he would need to wear a helmet. Prayer and the helmet fixed my son's head 110%. Initially, the helmet was uncomfortable because he had to wear it 23 hours a day for 4 months. My son will be 6 this year and I am very pleased with how his head is growing. I know it is easier said than done - don't blame yourself. Your son is still growing and may be able to wear a helmet now to help mold and shape his head. Have you checked with your current ped? Prayer always helps :-) See your son's head perfectly shaped - believe it, have faith and watch how his head changes. Stay positive, be lead by your motherly instincts and never ever give up. :-))
Take Care!
FJames

Preemies do tend to have narrow heads. I am not sure what that is a result of but it is true that it happens (I work in the field, it's well known at least to those of use who work with it). My only issue would be 8 weeks early is not really that early in terms of having the narrow head- are you sure it is as bad as you think? And do you think he looks the way he does due to the flat spot? Or could it be just a natural variation in his head?

My youngest has a vein on her nose that I hate- it looks like a bruise and people will always ask how she hurt her face. It's just one of those things.

I don't mean to be mean but I would've got a second opinion. At this point i really dont know if you would be ale to fix t. I would try to get a hold of a pediatric neurologist to see. Good Luck!