Maya Ellison
You may have seen babies wearing helmets to correct flat spots on their heads, a condition known as flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly. This common condition is caused by babies sleeping in the same position for extended periods, especially on their backs. It can also occur in multiple births, where babies have less space in the womb, or in premature babies who spend a lot of time on their backs during their NICU stay. To treat flat head syndrome, babies undergo helmet therapy, where they wear custom-made helmets for 23 hours a day over a period of about three months. This gentle therapy helps reshape the baby's skull as it grows, encouraging a more rounded head shape. In some cases, babies with severe flattening may require surgery for craniosynostosis, followed by helmet therapy to further correct the head shape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the therapy | Helmet therapy or cranial orthosis |
| Reason | To treat unusual head shapes in babies |
| Skull composition | Skull of a baby is made up of several malleable plates with soft spots (fontanels) and ridges (sutures) |
| Craniosynostosis | A condition that occurs when a baby’s cranial bones fuse together too soon |
| Plagiocephaly | Sometimes called flat head syndrome, refers to the flattening of one of the soft skull plates of a baby’s head |
| Duration | 2 to 4 months, 23 hours a day |
| Age | Babies under 3-4 months are generally too young for helmet therapy. Babies can start wearing helmets between 4 to 6 months of age |
| Effectiveness | Studies show that 83% of infants beginning helmet therapy around the 24-week mark achieved remarkable improvements |
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What You'll Learn
- Babies wear helmets to correct flat head syndrome
- Skull deformities such as plagiocephaly can be treated with helmets
- Craniosynostosis is a condition that requires helmet therapy
- Babies wear helmets for 23 hours a day, for up to three months
- Helmet therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment for head shape irregularities
Babies wear helmets to correct flat head syndrome
The phenomenon of babies wearing plastic helmets is known as “helmet therapy” or "cranial orthosis". It is a method for treating unusual head shapes in babies, specifically for flat head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly, and craniosynostosis.
Flat head syndrome is caused by babies spending a lot of time in one position, usually lying on their backs, which is the recommended safe sleeping position from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This has led to an increase in flat head syndrome, but also a decrease in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Flat head syndrome can also occur in the uterus or during birth. It is not dangerous to a baby's brain or development and is usually painless.
Craniosynostosis is a condition where a baby's cranial bones fuse together too early, which can restrict brain growth and cause an unusual skull shape. It is sometimes part of a genetic syndrome.
Helmet therapy is an effective, non-invasive approach to correcting head shape irregularities. The helmets gently mould the shape of a baby's skull as it grows, acting as a mould and putting mild pressure on flattened areas to encourage growth. They are custom-made to fit each baby's head and are usually worn for 23 hours a day over a period of about three months. The duration of helmet therapy depends on several factors, including the baby's age and the severity of their condition. Babies under 3-4 months are generally too young for helmet therapy, and after 11-12 months it is considered too late to start as the skull loses its flexibility and adaptability to reshaping.
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Skull deformities such as plagiocephaly can be treated with helmets
Skull deformities such as plagiocephaly (also known as flat head syndrome) can be treated with helmets. Plagiocephaly refers to the flattening of one of the soft skull plates of a baby's head. This condition is not dangerous to a baby's brain or development and tends to happen when babies spend a lot of time in one position, such as sleeping on their back. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents put babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which has lowered the number of SIDS cases but also caused more babies to develop flat spots on their heads.
Helmet therapy, also known as cranial orthosis, is a safe and effective treatment method for plagiocephaly that helps to reshape a baby's head. These helmets are custom-made devices that gently mould the shape of a baby's skull as it grows. They are usually worn for 23 hours a day over a period of about two to four months, starting when the baby is between four and six months old.
Craniosynostosis is another skull deformity that can be treated with helmet therapy. It is a condition that occurs when a baby's cranial bones fuse together too soon, which can restrict brain growth and cause an unusual skull shape. Craniosynostosis almost always requires surgical treatment followed by helmet therapy. The helmets used for cranial orthosis are different from other childhood helmets and must be prescribed by a licensed physician. They are custom-made to fit each baby's head and are designed to be adjusted as needed throughout the treatment process.
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Craniosynostosis is a condition that requires helmet therapy
The human skull is made up of five thin, bony plates held together by fibrous tissue or sutures. These sutures allow the skull to expand as the brain grows. Craniosynostosis is a condition that causes one or more of these sutures to close too soon, restricting brain growth and causing an unusual skull shape. If left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to restricted brain growth and an abnormal skull shape.
Craniosynostosis almost always requires surgical treatment, followed by helmet therapy. The duration of helmet therapy depends on several factors, including the age of the baby and the severity of their condition. On average, babies wear the helmet for about three months, for 23 hours a day, seven days a week. The helmet is custom-made to fit the baby's head and is designed to be adjusted as needed throughout the treatment process.
Helmet therapy is a non-invasive approach to correcting head shape irregularities. The helmet acts as a mould, putting mild pressure on the flattened areas to encourage growth in those regions. This gentle pressure encourages natural skull growth and rectification in the flat areas, fostering a balanced, spherical head shape over time.
Craniosynostosis can be part of a genetic syndrome, leading to the premature fusion of cranial bones and potentially interfering with neurological development. Helmet therapy helps to encourage a more regular head shape and supports healthy brain development by providing the necessary room for growth.
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Babies wear helmets for 23 hours a day, for up to three months
Babies' skulls are softer than adults',' allowing them to pass through the birth canal. However, this softness means that the amount of time spent sleeping in certain positions can lead to unusual head shapes. In some cases, a baby may have a genetic condition that causes their skull bones to fuse too early, inhibiting brain growth.
Helmet therapy is a treatment method that helps to reshape a baby's head. The helmets are custom-made devices that gently mould the shape of a baby's skull as it grows. They are usually worn for 23 hours a day, for up to three months. The prolonged, consistent contact grants the helmet the opportunity to perform its corrective purpose.
Babies under 3-4 months are generally too young for helmet therapy. However, if the flattening is severe enough, babies can wear them as early as 4 months old up to 12 months. The duration of helmet therapy depends on several factors, including the baby's age and the severity of their condition.
Two common conditions that require babies to wear helmets are plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis. Plagiocephaly, sometimes called flat head syndrome, refers to the flattening of one of the soft skull plates of a baby's head. Craniosynostosis is a condition that occurs when a baby's cranial bones fuse together too soon, which can restrict brain growth and cause an unusual skull shape.
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Helmet therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment for head shape irregularities
The use of helmets for babies has become more common, with many babies developing flat spots on the back of their heads. This phenomenon is known as flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly, affecting up to 40% of babies. The increase in cases is due to successful campaigns by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommending that parents put babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While this advice has saved lives, it has also resulted in babies developing flat spots on their heads from lying on their backs for extended periods.
Babies with conditions such as plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis may benefit from helmet therapy. Plagiocephaly is caused by babies sleeping in the same position for extended periods, resulting in a flat spot on one side of the head or the entire back of the head. Craniosynostosis, on the other hand, is a genetic condition where the cranial bones fuse prematurely, affecting the shape of the head and potentially interfering with neurological development. Helmet therapy provides the necessary space for the brain to grow and develop properly.
Helmet therapy is typically recommended for babies under 12 months of age, as the skull is still malleable and adaptable to reshaping. Starting helmet therapy early, preferably before six months of age, is ideal for optimal results. It is important to note that helmet therapy may not be suitable for all infants, and parents should consult with their doctor to determine the best course of treatment.
In conclusion, helmet therapy offers a safe and effective solution for parents concerned about their baby's head shape. It is a non-invasive approach that gently guides the skull's growth, helping to prevent permanent head deformities and supporting healthy brain development. With the increasing incidence of flat head syndrome, helmet therapy provides a valuable option for parents to ensure their babies grow up with well-shaped heads.
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Frequently asked questions
Some babies wear plastic helmets to correct flat head syndrome, also known as positional plagiocephaly or skull deformity. This condition can be caused by babies sleeping in the same position for extended periods, especially on their backs.
Flat head syndrome refers to the development of a flat spot or uneven appearance on a baby's skull, usually caused by sleeping in the same position for prolonged periods. It is not dangerous to the baby's brain but can be corrected with helmet therapy if desired.
Helmet therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that uses a custom-fitted helmet to gently reshape a baby's skull. The helmet acts as a mold, applying mild pressure to flattened areas to encourage growth and a more spherical head shape.
The duration of helmet therapy can vary depending on the age of the baby and the severity of the condition, but it typically ranges from two to four months, with an average of around three months. Babies are expected to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day during this period.
