Re: measurements of change?

[Guest guest]

Mel,

I think the amount of correction you should desire depends on the age

of your child. I think measurement is important as a way to compare

different children's outcomes, but many parents have been satisfied

with eyeball corrections. Starting at message 44250 (my thread) there

is a good discussion on measument. Plagiocephaly.org also has a lot

of info on measument.

Geetha

> I only got one measurement of 9mm. The doc told me that was border

> line for a helmet. What is moderate? severe? how much can you

expect

> it to change with a helmet/band? Some of you seem to have more

> measurements? Did my doctor miss something?

> I read in one of the archives that 1-2 mm can be considered normal.

> When do you know to stop with the helmet/band?

> -Mel, with loads of questions

[Guest guest]

Mel:

Sorry I can't help you with the measurement question, Abby's plagio

was just eyeballed to determine severity.

The success of a helmet or band relies on growth spurts. Each banded

baby is different, so you really cannot say just how much correction

they will get. The younger you begin treatment, you'll get better &

faster correction than if began older, simply becuz the child goes

thru so many growth spurts at a younger age.

Your orthotist will tell you when your child is complete with

treatment. Cranial Tech will only leave a band on a child's head for

4.5 mos, after that time, they feel the band loses it's pressure

points and is no longer effective. STARbands are left on longer than

that. And of course, if the child outgrows their band, then you will

be done OR if more improvement is needed, you may consider a 2nd

band/helmet.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

> I only got one measurement of 9mm. The doc told me that was border

> line for a helmet. What is moderate? severe? how much can you

expect

> it to change with a helmet/band? Some of you seem to have more

> measurements? Did my doctor miss something?

> I read in one of the archives that 1-2 mm can be considered normal.

> When do you know to stop with the helmet/band?

> -Mel, with loads of questions

[Guest guest]

Mel,

check out plagiocephaly.org. BY the babies face, there is a link to

cranial anthropometric measurements. That is what was used to

determine Dane's severity.

Not everyone takes these measurements. I assume that your dr. was

measuring for cranial vault asymmetry if he uses this anthropometric

stuff. Because 9mm of facial asymmetry would justify banding. Dane

was 8mm of facial asymmetry and it was quite noticeable.

Dane's mom DOC Grad

> I only got one measurement of 9mm. The doc told me that was

border

> line for a helmet. What is moderate? severe? how much can you

expect

> it to change with a helmet/band? Some of you seem to have more

> measurements? Did my doctor miss something?

> I read in one of the archives that 1-2 mm can be considered

normal.

> When do you know to stop with the helmet/band?

> -Mel, with loads of questions

[Guest guest]

I cannot remember reading any literature stating a range of "normalcy" nor have I measured any "normal" babies...just the cute ones!

Aetna has stated in their website, one of the criteria for justifying cranial therapy is a difference in cranial vault measurements (crisscross front to back) of only 6mm. Anything higher might be considered moderate...and it seems I have seen somewhere that greater than 12mm is severe...check Dr. Moss' literature and anthropometric articles.

Re: measurements of change?

Mel,check out plagiocephaly.org. BY the babies face, there is a link to cranial anthropometric measurements. That is what was used to determine Dane's severity. Not everyone takes these measurements. I assume that your dr. was measuring for cranial vault asymmetry if he uses this anthropometric stuff. Because 9mm of facial asymmetry would justify banding. Dane was 8mm of facial asymmetry and it was quite noticeable.Dane's mom DOC Grad> I only got one measurement of 9mm. The doc told me that was border > line for a helmet. What is moderate? severe? how much can you expect > it to change with a helmet/band? Some of you seem to have more > measurements? Did my doctor miss something? > I read in one of the archives that 1-2 mm can be considered normal. > When do you know to stop with the helmet/band?> -Mel, with loads of questionsFor more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Mel...

Our doc said the same thing about <10 mm being borderline for a

helmet. So I would guess a 9mm difference would be considered mild.

I really think it's up to you to decide if the difference you see

warrants the costs of a helmet. It's a close enough call that the

doctor will probably go along with your wishes one way or the other.

You could post overhead & profile shots so the head police on this

board could give it a look.

Our son Zack had about a 12mm difference and our daughter Zoey about

a 9mm difference at their 5 month measurement. We got the helmet for

Zack because you could not miss the flat spot (he looked like someone

had hit him in the back of the head with a 2x4)..the measurement

didn't seem to really capture the severity of his noggin flatness.

Zoey didn't really have a flat spot..she just had one side that stuck

out a little further than the other. Since it was nicely rounded, we

decided she didn't really need one.

Ken

Zack and Zoey's dad