The study of human head growth must begin with a basic understanding of the normal skull, brain, and cranial sutures.
A portrait of a princess who underwent this process hangs in the Louvre Museum (Figure 2). Similarly, it was the practice in the House of Este in the 1400s to place restrictive ties known as “bandeau” at birth on the heads of the royal newborns. These devices were placed soon after birth and kept in place for months to years to create a permanent cranial deformity that was interpreted as a mark of distinction. Infants of the tribal leaders were noted to have their heads constrained by wooden sticks and rope (Figure 1). In 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered the Chinook tribe at the mouth of the Columbia River.
#Infant misshapen head manual
Taking advantage of the rapid head growth and malleable skull unique to the newborn period, individuals have applied constrictive devices (wooden boards, stones placed in a crib, ties, manual molding) over the past centuries to intentionally and permanently deform a child's skull. Of particular historical interest is the practice of intentional cranial deformation, “the process of dynamic distortion of the normal vectors of infantile neurocranial growth through the agency of externally applied forces” (1).
#Infant misshapen head series
Hippocrates described in detail a people referred to as the “Macrocephales.” Even in modern times, the television series “Saturday Night Live” entertained viewers with their comic series “The Coneheads.” Archaeologists have found artistic renderings of the imposing heads of Neanderthals who lived 45 000 years ago. Man's fascination with misshapen heads dates back to prehistoric times. Historical Perspective: “Intentional Cranial Deformation” If this does not occur, the possibility of a rapidly progressive, irreversible, and, in rare circumstances, life threatening cranial malformation needs to be considered. Variations from the typical oval shape that usually result from the vaginal delivery process will generally return to normal in a relatively short period of time. This paper reviews the anatomy and physiology of normal and abnormal brain and skull growth, the etiology of cranial deformation, the types of craniosynostosis most commonly seen in infants, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.Īt birth, the shape of a newborn's skull is highly variable due to its inherent plasticity, intrauterine constraint, and the tortuous journey through the birth canal. These changes can be mild, reversible deformations or severe, irreversible malformations that can result in brain injury. As a result, any restrictive or constrictive forces applied to a baby's head can result in dramatic distortions. A newborn's skull is highly malleable and rapidly expanding.
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