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Is An Odd Head Shape In A Premature Infant Normal?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015
Question: HI,
THIS IS XXXXXXX MY WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO PRE MATURE BABY IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, SHE WAS ONLY 1.6 KGS WHEN SHE WAS BORN, NOW SHE IS 4 MONTHS OLD AND GAINED SOME WEIGHT, BUT THE SHAPE OF THE HEAD OF THE BABY SOME WHAT DIFFERENCE, CAN YOU GUIDE WHETHER SHE WILL GET NORMAL SHAPE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your baby's head should round out naturally by the time she's six months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

There is no need to worry if your newborn baby's head is somewhat odd shape. It's common and should soon be subsided by itself.

It might have happened during moulding due to which your baby's head resulted in some odd shape.

Now,If your baby is premature, her bones will not have fully formed and will reamin very soft, means her head is more likely to be misshapen as she comes down from birth canal.

Also,Premature babies may take longer to control their heads than babies born at term.

You can help your baby's head return to a more rounded shape by altering her position frequently while she is sleeping, feeding and playing.

Changing your baby's position (every 2 hourly if possible) is called counter-positioning or repositioning.

It encourages the flattened areas of your baby's head to reshape naturally.

Although There are some medical interventions that can change the shape of your baby's head such as physiotherapy, this measures should be used as a last resort.

So,be rested and do not need to worry much as most babies won't require any treatment at all. Your baby's head should round out naturally by the time she's six months.

Hope this detailed information will help.

Regards,


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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Is An Odd Head Shape In A Premature Infant Normal?

Brief Answer: Your baby's head should round out naturally by the time she's six months. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX There is no need to worry if your newborn baby's head is somewhat odd shape. It's common and should soon be subsided by itself. It might have happened during moulding due to which your baby's head resulted in some odd shape. Now,If your baby is premature, her bones will not have fully formed and will reamin very soft, means her head is more likely to be misshapen as she comes down from birth canal. Also,Premature babies may take longer to control their heads than babies born at term. You can help your baby's head return to a more rounded shape by altering her position frequently while she is sleeping, feeding and playing. Changing your baby's position (every 2 hourly if possible) is called counter-positioning or repositioning. It encourages the flattened areas of your baby's head to reshape naturally. Although There are some medical interventions that can change the shape of your baby's head such as physiotherapy, this measures should be used as a last resort. So,be rested and do not need to worry much as most babies won't require any treatment at all. Your baby's head should round out naturally by the time she's six months. Hope this detailed information will help. Regards,