What is a cranial remolding orthosis (helmet) and how may it benefit your child?
After a child is born, parents are understandably concerned about their child and every aspect of their baby’s health. It is estimated that one in every 300 births results in a child with plagiocephaly-torticollis deformation sequence (flat spots; uneven shaped head). Plagiocephaly results from several factors, including the child who persistently lies on one side of his or her head. Torticollis refers to the asymmetry of the muscles around the neck, causing the head to tilt and rotate to one side.
Over time, the head takes on the shape of a parallelogram with a flat spot on one side of the back of the head with forward progression of the ear on the same side. The cranial remolding orthosis (helmet) is designed to help with the reshaping of the child's head. The helmet is custom made from a cast of the child's head. It consists of a thick padding with plastic outer shell and a velcro closure.
By following a prescription from your doctor, treatment usually begins with the orthotist by the age of 3-4 months and is completed at the age of one. It is recommended that the child receive physical therapy as well as the helmet for treatment of the plagiocephaly-torticollis deformation syndrome. The child is seen for follow up visits with the orthotist every 3-4 weeks and a progress report can be forwarded to the physician.