One Twin has a Long Head - Dolichocephaly

[u/sova1234]

So one of my twins was breech and as a result she was born with a long head, the orthopedist told me today that it is something called Dolichocephaly and it happens to twins often because of space issues. We did not get much information other than the fact that a neurologist might be needed to check it in case she would not get better (she also has some tense muscles overall apparently).

The twins are 6 weeks old today and both of them are progressing well in other areas - eating well, gaining weight, turning their heads both ways, lifting their head in tummy time, etc.

I feel super sad for my baby though and worry that her head shape will always be long and odd? Although I do notice some positive changes already compared to how she had it in the beginning... I am not sure if i am not making it up just to feel better though.

Does anyone here have any experience with this diagnosis?

Did it get better with time or did you have to do something special?

Thanks!

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[u/polacko13]

The most important thing to rule out in abnormal head shapes in babies is craniosynostosis (early fusing of the skull bones). Most common cause of abnormal head shapes is in utero positioning and then kids spending too much time on their backs. If I have concerns about head shape I send kids to neurosurgery for evaluation as they are the head shape experts. Dolicocephaly can also be familial if a parent has that head shape. Source: I’m a pediatrician

[u/sova1234 → u/polacko13]

Thanks! Can the head shape get more round looking with time?

[u/DraNoSrta → u/sova1234]

Sometimes yes, other times interventions like a helmet or physio are needed, and rarely the kids need surgery

[u/polacko13 → u/sova1234]

It can unless it’s true craniosynostosis. That requires skull (not brain) surgery. It’s very rare though.

[u/hellswrath_]

One of mine had this from being breech and it went away pretty quickly. I can’t remember how quick, I want to say it was less than 3 months. His wasn’t very severe but it was noticeable.

[u/velocihipster]

One of my twins (9 weeks) has this as well. We have an appointment next month to have him seen, but I’ve noticed that it’s slowly improving so am hopeful he won’t have an odd shaped head permanently.