Can My Five Year Old With A Flat Head Get A Skull Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My son (5) developed a flat head when he was a baby. My daughter (6) also had a flat head due to sleeping on her back, but it corrected itself pretty quickly. Because of this, I assumed my son’s head would correct itself, but it never did… and now I find myself haunted each day by his flat side head. I’ve mentioned it to his Pediatricians many times, but they essentially “write it off”. I have spent many hours researching what can be done at his age, and surgery seems like the only solution. I would love to hear back from you with any kind of information/ help/ support/ referrals. Thank you.

A: Such head shape corrections for flat spots or a flat head I do not do until the teenage years when skull growth is essentially complete.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana