Positional plagiocephaly (baby flat-head): Treatment with a corrective helmet/cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) | 972.000000000000 | Positional plagiocephaly (baby flat-head): Treatment with a corrective helmet/cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) | Positional plagiocephaly (baby flat-head): Treatment with a corrective helmet/cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) | P | English | Plastics | Newborn (0-28 days);Baby (1-12 months) | Skull | Bones | Non-drug treatment | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2020-05-08T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.90000000000000 | 58.9000000000000 | 801.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Procedure | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how a corrective helmet is worn and helps correct the shape of your child's skull over time.</p> | <h2>What is positional plagiocephaly?</h2><p>Positional plagiocephaly (say: play-gee-o-SEFF-ah-lee) is asymmetry in the shape of a baby's skull, also known as "baby flat-head." </p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Positional plagiocephaly</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/positional_plagiocephaly_MED_ILL_EN.png" alt="Top view of a normal skull shape and of a distorted skull shape due to positional flattening" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">A part of your baby’s skull can become flattened if your baby is always on his back or prefers to look in one direction.</figcaption> </figure>
<p>A part of your newborn's skull can become flattened if your baby is always on their back or prefers to look in one direction. Changing your baby's position often and putting them on their tummy to play several times a day will help prevent your baby from developing a flattened skull. If your child develops positional plagiocephaly, tummy time and repositioning may be recommended by your physician initially to try to address the flattening. This is most effective when babies are between zero and six months of age. A corrective helmet may be recommended if there is no change in your baby's head shape with repositioning or if there is moderate-to-severe skull asymmetry.
<strong>The ideal time to have a child assessed for helmet therapy is between five and six months of age.</strong></p><h2>What is a corrective helmet?<br></h2><p>A corrective helmet, or CRO, is a custom-made medical device used to address plagiocephaly in children with moderate-to-severe skull asymmetry. The helmet uses gentle holding pressures to reshape the skull over time as it redirects the head's growth into the areas that are flat.
<strong>The helmet does not affect the neurological development of a child.</strong></p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Orthotic helmet</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Orthotic_helmet_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Baby wearing orthotic helmet and a view of the head inside the helmet from above" /> </figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>A corrective helmet can help treat your baby's plagiocephaly or "baby flat-head." </li>
<li>The helmet is designed to correct the shape of your child's skull over time. </li>
<li>Your child will likely need to wear the helmet for four to six months. </li>
<li>You and your child will need to visit the orthotist several times to measure, cast and fit your child's helmet. </li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Follow-up visit schedule</h2><p>You will have a follow-up visit with your orthotist two weeks after the fitting and then every four weeks until the end of treatment. Your child’s head will be examined for shape changes. A 3D scan will be taken every second appointment and will be compared to the previous scan. This helps with tracking your child’s progress. There may be adjustments made to your child’s helmet at these visits.</p> | | | | | | | | | <h2>How long will your child need to wear the helmet?</h2>
<p>Your child will likely need to wear the helmet for four to six months or more, depending on your child's rate of growth. It is recommended that your child wear the helmet between 22 and 23 hours per day. Your orthotist will give you specific recommendations based on your child's situation. Most children complete treatment between 12 and 15 months of age.<br></p> | <h2>Helmet therapy<br></h2><h3>Initial visit: Assessment and scan</h3><p>At the first visit, an orthotist will evaluate your baby’s head shape clinically and use 3D scanning technology to capture a 3D shape of the head.</p>
<figure><span class="asset-image-title">Stockinette</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Stockingette_for_helmet_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Baby wearing stockinette over the head and body" /></figure>
<p>In the process of obtaining a scan for your child's helmet, a layer of nylon stockinette will be put on your child’s head with a hole cut for the face and/or ears. The 3D scanner uses a combination of light and cameras to capture the shape; there is no radiation exposure. The scan itself typically take two to three seconds. The digital replica of your child’s head will be corrected in order to make your child’s individual helmet.</p><h3>Second visit: Fitting appointment</h3><p>This visit will be booked two weeks after the first visit and typically lasts an hour to an hour and a half. At this visit, you will be taught the proper use and care of the helmet.</p> | | | | | <h2>At SickKids</h2><p>SickKids fits the Starband helmet. For more information, please visit the <a href="https://www.orthomerica.com/product-category/starband/">Orthomerica Starband website</a>.</p><p>A minimum of 50% of the payment for this device is expected at the time of the casting. The remaining 50% of the cost is expected when you receive the helmet. The Children’s Orthotics Clinic is unable to bill your insurance company directly.</p><p>Please visit or contact The Children’s Orthotics Clinic for further information on pricing.</p><p>All proceeds from orthotic treatment at The Children’s Orthotics Clinic go to support patient care and research at SickKids. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca/childrensorthoticsclinic/index.html">www.sickkids.ca/childrensorthoticsclinic</a>.</p><h3>Coverage for the corrective helmet</h3><p>In Ontario, OHIP does not cover any of the cost of the corrective helmet; however, most extended health insurance plans may cover all or a portion depending on your coverage. Ask your orthotist for an insurance letter to submit to your insurance company for coverage. If you need help to pay for the helmet, visit the reception desk for a listing of charitable organizations that may assist you.</p> | <h2>Virtual care services for children<br></h2><p>Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support neurodevelopmental physiotherapy, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/neural-development-children/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Plagiocephaly_treatment_with_helmet.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Plagiocephaly_treatment_with_helmet.jpg | plagiocephalytreatment | | | | | | Positional plagiocephaly (baby flat-head): Treatment with a corrective helmet/cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) | | False | | | | | | |