Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give prescription for Helmet - IRVINE

[Guest guest]

While your son’s cephalic ratio has improved the

measurement is still considered to be severe.

Brachycephaly

severity is measured by the Cephalic Ratio = Cranial Breadth/Cranial Length

ideal

ratio - 78%

normal

- 73-83%

moderate

- 83.1% to 87.9%

severe

- 88% and higher

An

asymmetry of 8 mm is mild but could still be corrected with a band.

0-3

mm is normal

<6

mm is very mild

6-10

mm is mild

10-15

mm is moderate

15+

mm is severe

There

is an Older Plagio group and I can’t tell you how many people post there

with older children who still have plagio who had doctors that told them the

head would round out over time. Hopefully CT will be able to provide you

with a specialist in your area that can write the prescription for you

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 2.5, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland)

4/24/06-9/12/06, Graduate!

, 5

, 8.5

From: Plagiocephaly

[mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of Chanda Mama

Sent: 13 August 2008 06:14

Plagiocephaly

Subject: [sPAM]RE: [sPAM]Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are

not ready to give prescription for Helmet - IRVINE

Okay. We talked to the neuro surgeon again today hoping he

would get convinced. But he was upset and explained to us again that no one

would notice the flatness by the time the baby goes to school. He said the

ear alignment is absolutely fine( which we also agree) so we don't need to

worry about the flatness. He said it would round out slowly. Told us just to

reposition the head on left side 100% of the time so that the flatness on

right side would improve.

Just FYI, his cephalic ratio was 100.6 % when he was 4 months old and is 98.4

% right now . I think he has a assymentry value of 8mm. I don't remember the

exact terminology but that was the biggest number I saw on the measurement

sheet from Laser analysis we did lats month. What do you guys think about the

numbers ?We do not have any more hopes from this neuro surgeon. So I asked CT

, Pasadena to give me a band friendly dr's contact number . Will post

you with any updates. Thank you all for your valuable information and

support.

-Chanda

From:

Sandy Ruff <sandysruff@...>

Subject: Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Plagiocephaly

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 3:39 AM

I am so sorry! What city are you in? If you are close to

a Cranial Technologies, I would suggest going for a free evaluation.

They will provide a photo study and measurements you can give to both your

neuro and ped. Perhaps the numbers and photos would convince them to

provide the referral. If not, I would ask Cranial Tech (or whatever

clinic you are close to - Star, Hanger, etc) for a list of a few

pediatricians in your area who have made previous referrals - and then I

would SWITCH!

You are doing the right thing by being a strong advocate for your

child. It sounds as though you have a couple of " old

school " doctors who believe the head will round itself out on its

own. I believe this may have been true twenty years ago when babies

slept on their tummies most of the time, but I sadly hear case after case

of parents who were told it would remedy itself - and then it didn't.

Just tonight we were in a restaurant and a family stopped us to say they

were happy we had our baby in a band - because they listened to their pediatrician

and now it's too late to correct their son's flat head.

Please list your city and perhaps someone else on this board can refer you

to their pediatrician so you can get the referral you need.

Kindly,

Sandy

mom to Lyla - 8 months (10 weeks in DocBand)

and Owen 4

-----

Original Message ----

From: chandamamanunenu <chandamamanunenu@...>

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:09:31 PM

Subject: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Hi

My 6 1/2 month son has very bad flat head on his back and also has

some flatness on his right side. We noticed it when he was 2 months

old. Our pediatrician asked me to do aggressive repositioning . At

that time, I was completely ignorant of this flat head problem and

could not do aggressive repositioning. But I made sure he was not on

his back in the day time. My baby started sleeping through the nights

from his second month itself and this increased his flat head a lot.

At his 4th month check up, the pediatrician referred him to a neuro

surgeon. The neuro surgeon asked us to reposition the baby's head and

see if it changes anything . We have been repositioning him at night

times too. I have been making him sleep on his left side .

Now he is 61/2 months old and we don't see any significant change in

his head shape. He has severe flat head on the back and some flatness

on the right. So we asked the neuro surgeon to give prescription for a

helmet hoping that we will get our baby start on helmet ASAP and he

would have a nice round head in 3-4 months. To our surprise, the neuro

surgeon is not ready to put the baby on helmet. Moreover he says by

the time the baby goes to school, the flat head would be unnoticeable.

We are not convinced with it because he has severe flat head. So I

contacted my pediatrician hoping she will understand and give

prescription for helmet. But she said she would not do that and asked

me to contact the neuro surgeon again to see he if he will agree this

time. This is so frustrating .

I don't have any family here for support . I am really frustrated and

depressed. I want to do what ever I can do for my baby to help with

his flat head. Has any of you guys ever had such a situation? Any

advise would be very helpful.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for that information. Now I am more worried and depressed now. I did not realize that his cephalic ratio comes under severe category. I will be trying my best to get my baby banded before he turns 7 months. I am not even sure if his cephalic ratio would come to normal category if I get him banded. But I am hoping for the best. - Chanda From:

Sandy Ruff <sandysruff@...>

Subject: Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Plagiocephaly

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 3:39 AM

I am so sorry! What city are you in? If you are close to

a Cranial Technologies, I would suggest going for a free evaluation.

They will provide a photo study and measurements you can give to both your

neuro and ped. Perhaps the numbers and photos would convince them to

provide the referral. If not, I would ask Cranial Tech (or whatever

clinic you are close to - Star, Hanger, etc) for a list of a few

pediatricians in your area who have made previous referrals - and then I

would SWITCH!

You are doing the right thing by being a strong advocate for your

child. It sounds as though you have a couple of "old

school" doctors who believe the head will round itself out on its

own. I believe this may have been true twenty years ago when babies

slept on their tummies most of the time, but I sadly hear case after case

of parents who were told it would remedy itself - and then it didn't.

Just tonight we were in a restaurant and a family stopped us to say they

were happy we had our baby in a band - because they listened to their pediatrician

and now it's too late to correct their son's flat head.

Please list your city and perhaps someone else on this board can refer you

to their pediatrician so you can get the referral you need.

Kindly,

Sandy

mom to Lyla - 8 months (10 weeks in DocBand)

and Owen 4

-----

Original Message ----

From: chandamamanunenu <chandamamanunenu@...>

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:09:31 PM

Subject: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Hi

My 6 1/2 month son has very bad flat head on his back and also has

some flatness on his right side. We noticed it when he was 2 months

old. Our pediatrician asked me to do aggressive repositioning . At

that time, I was completely ignorant of this flat head problem and

could not do aggressive repositioning. But I made sure he was not on

his back in the day time. My baby started sleeping through the nights

from his second month itself and this increased his flat head a lot.

At his 4th month check up, the pediatrician referred him to a neuro

surgeon. The neuro surgeon asked us to reposition the baby's head and

see if it changes anything . We have been repositioning him at night

times too. I have been making him sleep on his left side .

Now he is 61/2 months old and we don't see any significant change in

his head shape. He has severe flat head on the back and some flatness

on the right. So we asked the neuro surgeon to give prescription for a

helmet hoping that we will get our baby start on helmet ASAP and he

would have a nice round head in 3-4 months. To our surprise, the neuro

surgeon is not ready to put the baby on helmet. Moreover he says by

the time the baby goes to school, the flat head would be unnoticeable.

We are not convinced with it because he has severe flat head. So I

contacted my pediatrician hoping she will understand and give

prescription for helmet. But she said she would not do that and asked

me to contact the neuro surgeon again to see he if he will agree this

time. This is so frustrating .

I don't have any family here for support . I am really frustrated and

depressed. I want to do what ever I can do for my baby to help with

his flat head. Has any of you guys ever had such a situation? Any

advise would be very helpful.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Chanda,We were banded at seven months and one week, that is past the optimal 4-5 month banding time for that big growth spurt and we got great results. Plus you can probably do two or three bands so by the time you are done you will be mild or within normal range. I know how worrisome it can be, I still look at Elijah's head and think how it could be improved or what could have been. The important thing is that you are on the right path now with a clear goal. If you need any help in the San Diego area we are hear for you. P.S. I have some info on a case where parents actually sued their pediatrician for refusing to prescribe a band and they won two million dollars, maybe a brief mention of that could help move things along

Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for HelmetHi

My 6 1/2 month son has very bad flat head on his back and also has

some flatness on his right side. We noticed it when he was 2 months

old. Our pediatrician asked me to do aggressive repositioning . At

that time, I was completely ignorant of this flat head problem and

could not do aggressive repositioning. But I made sure he was not on

his back in the day time. My baby started sleeping through the nights

from his second month itself and this increased his flat head a lot.

At his 4th month check up, the pediatrician referred him to a neuro

surgeon. The neuro surgeon asked us to reposition the baby's head and

see if it changes anything . We have been repositioning him at night

times too. I have been making him sleep on his left side .

Now he is 61/2 months old and we don't see any significant change in

his head shape. He has severe flat head on the back and some flatness

on the right. So we asked the neuro surgeon to give prescription for a

helmet hoping that we will get our baby start on helmet ASAP and he

would have a nice round head in 3-4 months. To our surprise, the neuro

surgeon is not ready to put the baby on helmet. Moreover he says by

the time the baby goes to school, the flat head would be unnoticeable.

We are not convinced with it because he has severe flat head. So I

contacted my pediatrician hoping she will understand and give

prescription for helmet. But she said she would not do that and asked

me to contact the neuro surgeon again to see he if he will agree this

time. This is so frustrating .

I don't have any family here for support . I am really frustrated and

depressed. I want to do what ever I can do for my baby to help with

his flat head. Has any of you guys ever had such a situation? Any

advise would be very helpful.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Can I see your baby's before and after pictures? Please do send the link. It is very encouraging to know about your baby's band results.Thanks ChandaFrom:

Sandy Ruff <sandysruff (DOT) com>

Subject: Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Plagiocephaly

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 3:39 AMI am so sorry! What city are you in? If you are close to

a Cranial Technologies, I would suggest going for a free evaluation.

They will provide a photo study and measurements you can give to both your

neuro and ped. Perhaps the numbers and photos would convince them to

provide the referral. If not, I would ask Cranial Tech (or whatever

clinic you are close to - Star, Hanger, etc) for a list of a few

pediatricians in your area who have made previous referrals - and then I

would SWITCH!

You are doing the right thing by being a strong advocate for your

child. It sounds as though you have a couple of "old

school" doctors who believe the head will round itself out on its

own. I believe this may have been true twenty years ago when babies

slept on their tummies most of the time, but I sadly hear case after case

of parents who were told it would remedy itself - and then it didn't.

Just tonight we were in a restaurant and a family stopped us to say they

were happy we had our baby in a band - because they listened to their pediatrician

and now it's too late to correct their son's flat head.

Please list your city and perhaps someone else on this board can refer you

to their pediatrician so you can get the referral you need.

Kindly,

Sandy

mom to Lyla - 8 months (10 weeks in DocBand)

and Owen 4 -----

Original Message ----

From: chandamamanunenu <chandamamanunenu>

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:09:31 PM

Subject: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for HelmetHi

My 6 1/2 month son has very bad flat head on his back and also has

some flatness on his right side. We noticed it when he was 2 months

old. Our pediatrician asked me to do aggressive repositioning . At

that time, I was completely ignorant of this flat head problem and

could not do aggressive repositioning. But I made sure he was not on

his back in the day time. My baby started sleeping through the nights

from his second month itself and this increased his flat head a lot.

At his 4th month check up, the pediatrician referred him to a neuro

surgeon. The neuro surgeon asked us to reposition the baby's head and

see if it changes anything . We have been repositioning him at night

times too. I have been making him sleep on his left side .

Now he is 61/2 months old and we don't see any significant change in

his head shape. He has severe flat head on the back and some flatness

on the right. So we asked the neuro surgeon to give prescription for a

helmet hoping that we will get our baby start on helmet ASAP and he

would have a nice round head in 3-4 months. To our surprise, the neuro

surgeon is not ready to put the baby on helmet. Moreover he says by

the time the baby goes to school, the flat head would be unnoticeable.

We are not convinced with it because he has severe flat head. So I

contacted my pediatrician hoping she will understand and give

prescription for helmet. But she said she would not do that and asked

me to contact the neuro surgeon again to see he if he will agree this

time. This is so frustrating .

I don't have any family here for support . I am really frustrated and

depressed. I want to do what ever I can do for my baby to help with

his flat head. Has any of you guys ever had such a situation? Any

advise would be very helpful.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Elizibeth Your baby looks adorable. My son will also be starting his band at 7 months 1 week. I am hoping for best. Thanks for all your support.-ChandaFrom:

Sandy Ruff <sandysruff (DOT) com>

Subject: Re: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for Helmet

Plagiocephaly

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 3:39 AMI am so sorry! What city are you in? If you are close to

a Cranial Technologies, I would suggest going for a free evaluation.

They will provide a photo study and measurements you can give to both your

neuro and ped. Perhaps the numbers and photos would convince them to

provide the referral. If not, I would ask Cranial Tech (or whatever

clinic you are close to - Star, Hanger, etc) for a list of a few

pediatricians in your area who have made previous referrals - and then I

would SWITCH!

You are doing the right thing by being a strong advocate for your

child. It sounds as though you have a couple of "old

school" doctors who believe the head will round itself out on its

own. I believe this may have been true twenty years ago when babies

slept on their tummies most of the time, but I sadly hear case after case

of parents who were told it would remedy itself - and then it didn't.

Just tonight we were in a restaurant and a family stopped us to say they

were happy we had our baby in a band - because they listened to their pediatrician

and now it's too late to correct their son's flat head.

Please list your city and perhaps someone else on this board can refer you

to their pediatrician so you can get the referral you need.

Kindly,

Sandy

mom to Lyla - 8 months (10 weeks in DocBand)

and Owen 4 -----

Original Message ----

From: chandamamanunenu <chandamamanunenu>

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:09:31 PM

Subject: Pediatrician and Neuro surgeon are not ready to give

prescription for HelmetHi

My 6 1/2 month son has very bad flat head on his back and also has

some flatness on his right side. We noticed it when he was 2 months

old. Our pediatrician asked me to do aggressive repositioning . At

that time, I was completely ignorant of this flat head problem and

could not do aggressive repositioning. But I made sure he was not on

his back in the day time. My baby started sleeping through the nights

from his second month itself and this increased his flat head a lot.

At his 4th month check up, the pediatrician referred him to a neuro

surgeon. The neuro surgeon asked us to reposition the baby's head and

see if it changes anything . We have been repositioning him at night

times too. I have been making him sleep on his left side .

Now he is 61/2 months old and we don't see any significant change in

his head shape. He has severe flat head on the back and some flatness

on the right. So we asked the neuro surgeon to give prescription for a

helmet hoping that we will get our baby start on helmet ASAP and he

would have a nice round head in 3-4 months. To our surprise, the neuro

surgeon is not ready to put the baby on helmet. Moreover he says by

the time the baby goes to school, the flat head would be unnoticeable.

We are not convinced with it because he has severe flat head. So I

contacted my pediatrician hoping she will understand and give

prescription for helmet. But she said she would not do that and asked

me to contact the neuro surgeon again to see he if he will agree this

time. This is so frustrating .

I don't have any family here for support . I am really frustrated and

depressed. I want to do what ever I can do for my baby to help with

his flat head. Has any of you guys ever had such a situation? Any

advise would be very helpful.

Thanks