Is it too late at 17 months?

January 15, 2008

Hi-I'm a new member. I have posted this question on the All About

Plagiocephaly message board, but just found this one today, so

wanted to get some more opinions. Any similar stories and/or advice

would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for such a long post, but I feel

you should all get an idea of where I've been and where I'm at now:

My son Jake was born 10 pounds, 11 ounces. Due to the limited space

inutero, he came out with a " dent " in his forehead on the left side,

which has caused a VERY SLIGHT malformation with his eye/eyebrow

area (it's a little flatter and lower than the right side, although

apparently I am the only one who notices it and it's most visible

when he's tired or sick). Jake was then diagnosed with Torticollis

at 2.5 months old (also a result of his position in thewomb) and

underwent PT to treat it (successfully!). At 3 months, he

had a CT scan, and at 4 months we were told by a highly qualified

pediatric neurosurgeon that his suture lines looked great (so

surgery was not necessary!), and that we should save our money, he

won't need a helmet, it will correct itself eventually.

So I waited and waited, and I have seen SOME improvement with his

head shape. At every check up, I ask his pediatrician about his head

and they (he's seen two different doctors) both say it will work

itself out. About every two months, I question my husband, do you

think we did the right thing, I still think his head is too flat,

and his forehead bulge is too prominent and his ears are still way

out of alignment. And my husband always says, doctor said he'll be

fine, it will all work out. But then last week I ran into another

mother at school who just had her son banded two weeks ago (he's 9

months old), so I stopped to ask her some questions and it just

brought all this doubt and guilt up again. I was a wreck for three

days. We now have an appointment with the craniofacial surgeon she

went to on the 22nd and an appointment with the orthotist right

after, assuming we get the prescription.

My problem now is that my son is 16 months old already. By the time

the band comes in, he'll be 17 months old. Has anyone else out there

waited this long to make the decision to band or not? Is it worth it

at this point? I understand it's not ideal, but I'd rather say I

tried to do something, even if the result is minimal. But I don't

want to be discouraged either, so I want to have an idea of just how

much of an improvement I should expect to see at this stage. I would

greatly appreciate anyone's advice on this matter. Thanks for your

time!

in Raleigh

January 15, 2008

Err, I wish doctors would take parent's concerns more seriously

(even if it is nothing).

Wow, 10lbs 11oz...I can't even imagine having that big of a

baby!

My son was a lot younger than yours when we banded (7.5 months).

From various posts from moms with older children, I would definitely

say go for it so at least you know you did everything that you

could. Also, I would probably go with a Cranial Tech if you have one

near you as they have the most experience with banding older

babies. As for the results, it will totally vary on Jake's growth

during the time he wears it but I would still think you'll get some

results. You can also get a prescription from your pediatrician

(that's what we did).

>

> Hi-I'm a new member. I have posted this question on the All About

> Plagiocephaly message board, but just found this one today, so

> wanted to get some more opinions. Any similar stories and/or

advice

> would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for such a long post, but I

feel

> you should all get an idea of where I've been and where I'm at now:

>

> My son Jake was born 10 pounds, 11 ounces. Due to the limited space

> inutero, he came out with a " dent " in his forehead on the left

side,

> which has caused a VERY SLIGHT malformation with his eye/eyebrow

> area (it's a little flatter and lower than the right side,

although

> apparently I am the only one who notices it and it's most visible

> when he's tired or sick). Jake was then diagnosed with Torticollis

> at 2.5 months old (also a result of his position in thewomb) and

> underwent PT to treat it (successfully!). At 3 months, he

> had a CT scan, and at 4 months we were told by a highly qualified

> pediatric neurosurgeon that his suture lines looked great (so

> surgery was not necessary!), and that we should save our money, he

> won't need a helmet, it will correct itself eventually.

>

> So I waited and waited, and I have seen SOME improvement with his

> head shape. At every check up, I ask his pediatrician about his

head

> and they (he's seen two different doctors) both say it will work

> itself out. About every two months, I question my husband, do you

> think we did the right thing, I still think his head is too flat,

> and his forehead bulge is too prominent and his ears are still way

> out of alignment. And my husband always says, doctor said he'll be

> fine, it will all work out. But then last week I ran into another

> mother at school who just had her son banded two weeks ago (he's 9

> months old), so I stopped to ask her some questions and it just

> brought all this doubt and guilt up again. I was a wreck for three

> days. We now have an appointment with the craniofacial surgeon she

> went to on the 22nd and an appointment with the orthotist right

> after, assuming we get the prescription.

>

> My problem now is that my son is 16 months old already. By the

time

> the band comes in, he'll be 17 months old. Has anyone else out

there

> waited this long to make the decision to band or not? Is it worth

it

> at this point? I understand it's not ideal, but I'd rather say I

> tried to do something, even if the result is minimal. But I don't

> want to be discouraged either, so I want to have an idea of just

how

> much of an improvement I should expect to see at this stage. I

would

> greatly appreciate anyone's advice on this matter. Thanks for your

> time!

> in Raleigh

>

January 15, 2008

My son is 13 months and just got fitted for his band today. They told

me that we'll see some improvement but it won't be quite as dramatic

than if we had done it when he was 6 months old. But it will be better

than nothing. My neuro kept taking the wait and see approach too and so

I finally called her last week and told her I didn't want to wait any

longer. I insisted that he be banded. Fortunately she didn't put up too

much of a fight. As moms, we always have to follow our instincts.

Momma to , Olivia, , Gabe and Nate (13mths, schizencephaly,

ONH/SOD, g-tube, seizures and one very cute, cuddly little pooh bear!)

On Jan 15, 2008, at 1:58 PM, lka_236 wrote: