Re: Child with untreated plagio

January 20, 2002

Which specialist are you seeing if you don't mind my asking? I am

from land also and after initially seeing Dr. Carson who told me

to grow my son's hair longer to cover his misaligned ears, went to a

Dr. Craig Dufresne in Chevy Chase, MD, at another person's

suggestion. He used to work with Dr. Carson at s Hopkins. He is

a craniofacial plastic surgeon with an excellent reputation. He

would you give you a good opinion. He looks at things non-surgically,

versus surgically by Dr. Carson. I have sent several people there,

and some he has told don't band and some he told them they needed it

and prescribed it. Good luck. Please feel free to email me at

Candaceanddavid@... if you have any questions.

Candy, mom to (DOCbanded 10/5/01)

land

>

> I have been a member here for a few months now. I read all the

posts but have only responded once. I am a parent who did not band.

Of course this may be due to the fact that it was never recommended.

(I also knew nothing about it). Let me back up... My son is 5 years

old and has plagio on the right side. We took him to see a specialist

when he was 8 months old (Dr. Ben Carson, s Hopkins), after being

told that it would " round out on its own " . A band was never

mentioned and we were told he would be fine and his hair would hide

the flatness.

>

> I just want everyone to know that he has has NO developmental

problems or delays. He is a very smart child and is normal in every

way. The ONLY problem we have had is finding a bike helmet to fit

properly. His plagio really isnt THAT noticeablenow and it was quite

severe, unless we shave his hair. I will try to take some pics of his

head tonight so I can post them for all who wonder what plagio would

look like untreated.

>

> I want to thank all of you so much for the information you share in

this group. I also have a 5 month old daughter who has flatness

across the back of her head, that was noticed at 2 months. We have

been repostioning her, but werent " aggressive " until recently. I

have seen some improvement, but there is room for some more. I am

struggling with what to do (as far as a band is concerned). SHe does

have an appointment Feb. 5th with a specialist. I just want to have

it diagnosed and see what severity they think it is. Hers is

definately not as severe as my sons was. I dont know if this doctor

is familiar with the band or not,or if he will recommend it, we'll

have to see. Also, its hard because my husband doesnt seem too

concerned with her head shape since its not as bad as my sons was and

he is fine (healthwise).

> Well, I m sorry this is so lengthy. Ill write more later and post

some pics.

> Here are some Pics of my daughtershead. Its most noticeble from the

top view and the right side. The left side is where i am seeing more

rounding. I too am not looking for a perfectly round head, just a

little improvement., I know youre not doctors, but you can tell me

what you think.

> P.S Sorry about 1 st pic of top of head, the strap to the camera

was hanging in the way! lol

>

> Thanks,

> Kathy mom to Austin and Jillian

> Sudlersville, MD

>

> Re: Re: Desparate new parents in the UK

>

> In a message dated 01/18/2002 2:34:31 PM Central Standard Time,

> tlaharv35@a... writes:

>

> << The reason I am replying to you is that you appear to have

decided to

> travel for helmet/band treatment and this seems to be promoted

> heavily on this site,however, I would just like to make you

aware,

> that plagio, in our experience so far, has made no impact on our

sons

> development. >>

>

> It is true that helmet/band therapy is by far the most commonly

used form of

> therapy among members of this group. We have very few parents who

are active

> in this group that have tried other methods, but the ones we do

have have

> been very pleased with the course of action they have taken.

Repositioning,

> cranial-sacral massage, chiropractics, physical therapy and more

are among

> some of the other methods that some in this group have tried. It

is

> unfortunate that more non-banding parents are not active here.

However, the

> vast majority of active members use bands or helmets and have

been very happy

> with our choice and therefore it does seem that we

are " promoting " this form

> of therapy. While it is true that banding is not for everyone, it

is an

> intensely personal decision and must be made after becoming fully

informed of

> the possible medical complications that COULD arise. Please note

that I did

> not say will arise, but COULD arise. There is great debate among

the

> specialists out there as to what complications could be

associated with

> plagio. Among those complications are TMJ, vision problems,

speech and

> language delays, developmental delays and more. This is not to

say that these

> problems WILL arise, but they could. For my family it was not a

matter of

> trying to make the perfect baby. We wanted to make sure that she

would not be

> subject to any possible complications due to her plagio. She was

9 months

> when she was diagnosed and repositioning was out of the question.

She was

> considered severe and it was noticeable to many besides me!

Getting the

> helmet was not even a question for us. We got it and we are happy

with our

> choice. It is a personal decision and you will surely do what is

right for

> your baby.

>

> Best wishes to you,

>

> Marci (mom to )

> Oklahoma

>

January 20, 2002

The doctors name is Larry Bird in Salisbury, about 1 hr from our house. He has special qualifications in child neurology. I have never heard of him before, but my pediatritian referred us to him. Even though my daughters brachio is not that severe, my pedi referred us since my son also had plagio. i really dont want to band unless the neuro feels it necessary.Thanks alot for your response.

Re: Re: Desparate new parents in the UK> > > In a message dated 01/18/2002 2:34:31 PM Central Standard Time, > tlaharv35@a... writes:> > << The reason I am replying to you is that you appear to have decided to > travel for helmet/band treatment and this seems to be promoted > heavily on this site,however, I would just like to make you aware, > that plagio, in our experience so far, has made no impact on our sons > development. >>> > It is true that helmet/band therapy is by far the most commonly used form of > therapy among members of this group. We have very few parents who are active > in this group that have tried other methods, but the ones we do have have > been very pleased with the course of action they have taken. Repositioning, > cranial-sacral massage, chiropractics, physical therapy and more are among > some of the other methods that some in this group have tried. It is > unfortunate that more non-banding parents are not active here. However, the > vast majority of active members use bands or helmets and have been very happy > with our choice and therefore it does seem that we are "promoting" this form > of therapy. While it is true that banding is not for everyone, it is an > intensely personal decision and must be made after becoming fully informed of > the possible medical complications that COULD arise. Please note that I did > not say will arise, but COULD arise. There is great debate among the > specialists out there as to what complications could be associated with > plagio. Among those complications are TMJ, vision problems, speech and > language delays, developmental delays and more. This is not to say that these > problems WILL arise, but they could. For my family it was not a matter of > trying to make the perfect baby. We wanted to make sure that she would not be > subject to any possible complications due to her plagio. She was 9 months > when she was diagnosed and repositioning was out of the question. She was > considered severe and it was noticeable to many besides me! Getting the > helmet was not even a question for us. We got it and we are happy with our > choice. It is a personal decision and you will surely do what is right for > your baby.> > Best wishes to you,> > Marci (mom to )> Oklahoma> >

January 20, 2002

Kathy:

Thank you so much for sharing your story. We don't often hear

stories of untreated plagio. Your daughter is a cutie! Pretty dark

hair. I've definitely seen more severe cases of bracheo/plagio but I

do notice some flatness. Be sure you let us know what the specialist

says in a few wks about your daughter.

I'm so glad to hear that your son has not had any plagio

complications. That is by far the most important thing. We've had

several posts in here before about Dr. Ben Carson of s Hopkins,

he's totally opposed to banding and or helmet therapy from what I've

heard. It really is a shame that he never mentioned helmet treatment

to you. Parents need to hear of any available treatment for their

child, irregardless of the Dr's personal opinion.

Thanks again, we all appreciate your post.

Debbie abby's mom DOCGrad

MI