Question
What should be done to treat a baby’s head that appears square?
Answer
This condition is known as flat head, often resulting from poor calcium absorption due to a vitamin D deficiency, leading to abnormal ossification of the bones. Flat head is more common in babies between 6 to 8 months old, characterized by the thickening of the central part of the frontal and parietal bones, making the head appear square when viewed from above. Additionally, “pigeon chest” refers to the deformity of young children around 1 year old due to a deficiency in vitamin D and calcium, causing the sternum and adjacent cartilage to protrude forward, accompanied by bumps at the junction of the ribs and costal cartilage, resembling a string of beads. Recommendation: For chest deformities caused by a vitamin D deficiency, it is important to pay attention to the supplementation of vitamin D and calcium.