April, 2026
Plagiocephaly Measurements Made Easy with Skully Care
Plagiocephaly, commonly known as flat head syndrome, is more common than many people realise. Research suggests that up to one in five babies has some degree of head shape asymmetry. Whether you are a pediatric physiotherapist tracking a baby's progress or a parent noticing a flat spot at home, early detection makes a significant difference. The sooner an asymmetry is identified and measured, the more effective treatment can be. Accurate measurements are the foundation of every good treatment plan, and now, getting those measurements has never been easier.
The best time to measure: why 5 to 6 weeks matters
The ideal moment to take a first plagiocephaly measurement is around 5 to 6 weeks of age. At this stage, the baby's skull is still highly malleable, which means a repositioning approach is at its most effective. When a flat spot is identified early, most cases can be resolved with a few targeted treatment sessions focused on repositioning and specific exercises. Parents play a central role in this process, as consistent follow-through at home significantly improves outcomes. If repositioning does not produce sufficient results after a period of consistent effort, helmet therapy can be considered as a next step. Early measurement is what makes this entire treatment pathway possible.
What is Skully Care?
Skully Care is a smartphone app designed to make plagiocephaly measurements simple, fast, and reliable for both healthcare professionals and parents. Using just your phone's camera, you can take a photo of a baby's head and receive accurate measurements within minutes. The app automatically calculates the two most important indicators of head shape: the Cephalic Index (CI) and the Cephalic Volume Asymmetry Index (CVAI). No specialised equipment, no thermoplastic casts, and no distress for the baby. Skully Care is trusted by over 1,000 therapists worldwide, and a baby is measured using the app every 2 minutes. That level of adoption reflects the confidence healthcare professionals place in its accuracy and ease of use.
Understanding the key measurements: CI and CVAI
The Cephalic Index (CI) measures the ratio between the width and the length of the head. A CI above 90 may indicate brachycephaly (a flattened back of the head), while a value below 75 can suggest dolichocephaly. The Cephalic Volume Asymmetry Index (CVAI) measures the volumetric difference between the left and right sides of the head and is particularly sensitive for detecting plagiocephaly. A CVAI of 3.5% or higher is considered clinically significant. Skully Care calculates both values automatically from a single photo, giving parents and professionals a reliable, objective picture of the baby's head shape in one easy step.
Scientifically validated for accuracy and reliability
Skully Care has been independently validated for both validity and reliability by external scientific institutions. This means the measurements the app produces are not just practical, they are clinically trustworthy. The validation studies confirm that Skully Care meets the standards required for use in professional healthcare settings, giving both therapists and parents confidence in every result. You can find the full scientific publications on the Skully Care publications page.
How parents can measure at home, no toolkit needed
Parents do not need any special equipment to get started. The only preparation needed is to dampen the baby's hair slightly with water before taking the photo. This makes the hairline clearly visible and ensures the app can accurately map the contours of the head, just as a measuring cap would do in a clinical setting. Once the hair is wet, simply open the Skully Care app, place your baby in the correct position, and take the photo. The app guides you through the process with clear instructions, and if the photo is not quite right, you will receive instant feedback on how to improve it.
What happens after parents measure at home?
Once parents have their measurement results, Skully Care helps them determine the right next step. If the results suggest a repositioning approach is appropriate, the app provides personalised exercises that parents can start at home straight away. These exercises are simple, clearly explained, and designed to be integrated into daily routines. If the results indicate that professional support would be beneficial, the app helps parents find a qualified therapist near them. This means parents are never left wondering what to do with their results. Whether the next step is home exercises or a visit to a specialist, Skully Care points them in the right direction.
How healthcare professionals use the Skully Care Toolkit
For pediatric physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, Skully Care offers an optional toolkit to further optimise measurement conditions in a clinical setting. The toolkit includes two items. The Mat ensures the baby lies in a stable and consistent position for every measurement, increasing reproducibility across follow-up appointments. The Cap makes the head shape clearly visible for babies with a lot of hair, achieving the same effect as dampening the hair at home but with even greater precision in a clinical context. Together, these tools support reliable longitudinal tracking and make Skully Care a seamless part of any professional workflow.
Skully Care vs. traditional measurement methods
Traditional manual plagiocephaly measurements typically take around 45 minutes per session. Skully Care reduces this to just 5 minutes, without any loss in clinical accuracy. For busy practices, this time saving adds up quickly and allows therapists to see more patients or spend more time on treatment rather than administration. For parents, it removes the barrier of needing a clinic visit just to check whether progress is being made. Skully Care has been validated against traditional methods and consistently demonstrates near-identical accuracy, making the switch a straightforward decision for any practice.
Get started with Skully Care today
With over 1,000 therapists already using Skully Care and a baby being measured every 2 minutes, the platform has become a trusted standard in plagiocephaly care. Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to modernise your practice, or a parent who wants to understand and monitor their baby's head shape, Skully Care gives you the tools to do it simply, accurately, and with confidence. Order Skully Care for Professionals now and experience the benefits of this innovative solution for plagiocephaly measurement! Want to know more? Feel free to contact our team for more information or a demonstration of the app.
Founded by mother and son, Elly and Freek
Skully Care was founded by Elly van der Grift and Freek Noz, a mother-and-son team driven by a shared mission. Elly is a pediatric physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience treating babies with skull deformities. Freek is an engineer who brings innovation to that mission. Together, they have built a solution that bridges the gap between clinic and home, empowering both professionals and parents to act early and effectively.