Re: Dylan's new helmet.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Georgia; sorry it took me a while to get back to you; our Web

connection was on the fritz.

I called Jeff this afternoon to ask him about why they're using the

Star Band now. They used to make a helmet; that's what Conor wore

from November until March. He told me that since the FDA reclassified

these orthotic devices, they had to stop using the one that they made

(because it wasn't FDA approved). I was especially curious to see if

Jeff thought the Star Band was better than the helmet Conor wore, but

he said both designs operated on pretty much the same principle.

It seems a shame that they had to abandon their helmet program;

they'd spent a lot of time on research and design. I didn't ask

whether they were going to apply for FDA approval or just stick with

the Star Bands now. But as you know, Jeff is great. He put up with

lots of return visits on my part, so you shouldn't hesitate to call

him if you think there's a problem with fit or anything else. As

people here have said, it's the orthotist who makes the biggest

difference in how well any device will work. You have a great one!

I'm glad you found a better pediatrician; our first one ignored my

concerns about my son's head, too. I picked our pediatrician because

she was associated with Hershey Med; I guess it's hit or miss pretty

much everywhere you go.

Conor didn't seem to lose any hair while in the helmet; his is very

fine and hasn't really started to thicken yet. But I don't think the

helmet slowed his hair growth. His head circumference has increased

now that he's out of the helmet; I wish we could have used that

growth during re-shaping, but Dr. Kanev said that this would happen.

Anyway, it's nice to find a neighbor on this board. I've never seen

another kid in a helmet or band around here, but a few people told me

their grandkid/neighbor's kid/friend's kid had to wear one.

Best of luck to you and Dylan--will we see pictures of him soon?

, Conor's mom, central PA