Re: pediatric orthopod wants more info!!!- - here ya go!

[Guest guest]

,

There are a few studies out there that compare repositioning to

helmet therapy. Here are some study summaries in which your doctor

might be interested. I didn't include any efficacy studies on

helmets and bands if they didn't compare results to repo. I also

didn't include any anecdotal evidence, or opinions, only published

studies. Most doctors negative about banding seem to be aware of

the first study, but don't realize they are talking about 64 weeks

of repo to achieve similar results!! If the links are more than one

line long, you'll need to copy and paste the entire link to your

address bar to get directed correctly):

One study does show that outcomes are comparable between the two

types of treatment, but it takes 3 times longer to achieve those

same results with repositioning, as in repositioining for a total of

about 64 weeks! The irony about a 64 week repo program is that by

the time you've repo'd for 64 weeks, and if you decide you haven't

seen enough correction, it might be too late to decide to use the

helmet or band: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=11482615 & dopt=Abstract

Another study shows that results are comparable between helmeting

and repositioning if the baby is judged mild-moderate (not moderate-

severe.) Closer scrutiny reveals that the repo'd babies began

repositioning at the much earlier age of 4.5 months, as opposed to

the helmeted babies in the study, who began at 6 months of age:

http://www.neurosurgery.org/journals/online_j/feb97/2-2-3.html

Yet another study results showed that helmeted babies received

faster and better correction than repositioned babies:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=11314498 & dopt=Abstract

One last study of interest to you might be one done on just

correction achieved with repositioning. In this study, of 37 repo'd

babies, 34 achieved significant improvement. A qualifying statement

noted that only 8 of the 37 returned to complete normality:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=10343585 & dopt=Abstract

Currently a large-scale study is underway at Children's Healthcare

of Atlanta (CHOA) using Orthomerica's Starscanner technology to

follow three groups of plagio babies (banded, repo'd, and those just

doing natural correction.) So far, no results have been published,

but maybe your doctor could contact them on a professional level to

ask about the study status.

Just as important as these studies is the AAP's (American Academy of

Pediatric's) July 2003 Clinical Report on Plagio Treatment that

fully acknowledges plagio cases which are severe or not responsive

to repo after 2-3 months of repo need to move on to a specialist for

possible helmet therapy. Excerpt >>Referral

If there is progression or lack of improvement of the skull

deformity after a trial of mechanical adjustments, then referral to

a pediatric neurosurgeon, a general neurosurgeon with expertise in

pediatrics, or a craniofacial surgeon or craniofacial anomalies team

should be considered. The purpose of this referral is to obtain the

expertise of the pediatric surgical specialist on whether the

correct diagnosis has been made and to direct the subsequent

management, which may include molding helmets or surgery.

Additionally, referral to a physical therapist may be considered if

torticollis does not improve with neck stretching exercises within 2

to 3 months <<

AAP Release July 2003

Prevention & Management of Positional Skull Deformities in Infants -

AAP finally acknowledges relationship of " back to sleep " in increase

in plagio!

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;112/

1/199?fulltext=plagiocephaly & searchid=QID_NOT_SET

I hope this info helps; maybe it will at least get a dialogue

started. I really bristle when I hear of doctors making vague

dismissive comments when parents mention finding info on the

internet... do they not realize we have access to their own medical

journals and published studies??

Take care,

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I had a great experience when I recently visited the

pediatric

> > orthopod here in , B.C. (we only have one who is old

> > school). When Angelina and I were there for the first time

three

> > months ago he definitely felt strongly that she did not need a

> helmet

> > and didn't beleive in them and that I should focus more on her

> > stretches for her tort rather than seek " external resourses " -

you

> > guessed it, the internet! I obtained a copy of his rather

snotty

> and

> > condescending report months ago and was quite upset but I went

back

> > this week with her in a helmet and low and behold he was quite

> > interested. He asked me quite a few questions about her

helmet and

> I

> > told him why I chose to persue it, basically my concerns about

the

> > plagio being left untreated and long term effects of this. I

think

> > he was quite impressed cause the helmet looks pretty good and

he

> > asked me for further info on where she got it and then asked

if he

> > could take photos of her for educational purposes!!

> > We also had a discussion on whether or not a head in

general

> > would round out on it's own primarily after a couple of

years. He

> > really believes that most cases will eventully correct and is

> > interested in any research that shows that a helmet would

correct

> > just as much if left untreated. I obviously think a helmet is

the

> > way to go but I also am a bit mixed on this as I am sure that

my

> > daughter may have looked ok by about age three but I was not

going

> to

> > take the chance and I would definately like to have her

> look " normal "

> > by age one.

> > Do any of you have any research on helmet therapy vs

rounding

> > out? I am sure that Christie has something with all her bag of

> > tricks..if you were me, what info would you email to this

orthopod

> > who is trying to keep an open mind???

> >

> > Thanks in advance,

> >

> > , mommy to Angelina in , B.C. Canada

tort

> > (resolved) and local helmet 07/09/04

>

>

>

> For more plagio info