The meaning of plagiocephaly is an oblique head. The Greek word plagios means oblique, and kephale means head. Plagiocephaly is defined as an asymmetric shape of the head due to unilateral flattening. The term flathead can be used as a synonym. Plagiocephaly can be categorized into synostotic or deformational types.
The International Classification of Diseases defines isolated synostotic plagiocephaly as a form of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis characterized by premature fusion of one coronal or lambdoid suture leading to skull deformity and facial asymmetry. Unilateral coronal synostosis produces anterior plagiocephaly. Premature fusion of lambdoid suture causes synostotic posterior plagiocephaly. Deformational plagiocephaly is due to intrauterine or postnatal deformational forces. Deformational plagiocephaly is also known as positional plagiocephaly.
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