question regarding treating (or not) for mild plagio/brachy

November 5, 2009

Hello all!

It's been awhile since I've posted, though I've had a few " offline "

conversations with a couple of you, for which I am very grateful.

So my now-10.5-month-old daughter, Zia, has what I believe to be mild

plagio and brachy. We have done a lot of repositioning stuff and

worked with a physical therapist who did craniosacral treatments on

her regularly for about 3 months. Both of these seem to have been

helpful. We have not done a helmet/band yet, though she has been

scanned twice: once by a Hanger orthotist on 8/10/09 and once by a

STARband orthotist on 10/6/09. Her numbers were essentially unchanged

over those two months, though her head shape seemed to be improved.

Perhaps the numbers didn't reflect the improvement since it was

different equipment/different orthotist; or perhaps it's just that

we're getting more used to her new head shape; or that her hair is

starting to cover things up; who knows!

In any event, both orthotists considered her case to be " borderline, "

and the STARband orthotist said that she usually graduates kids with

my daughter's " numbers. " Additionally, neither the neurosurgeon nor

the pediatrician are recommending a helmet, though the pediatrician

did give us a script " to evaluate and treat for helmet for

plagiocephaly " back in August.

I want to share her (most recent) " numbers " with you and get your

feedback.

cranial vault assymetry: 4.5mm

cephalic index: .904

circumference: 433.3

There are other numbers, though I don't know what they are, which I

will provide in case they mean anything to any of you:

HT: 31.9

AP: 143.6

ML: 129.8

RSI: 21.8

Are these truly " mild case " numbers? Is there anyone out there who

had similar numbers who decided to treat? or not treat? I am still

very much struggling over the decision to treat or not. We are

scheduled to be re-scanned by the STARband orthotist on the Wednesday

before Thanksgiving, so we'll see where things are at that point,

since we believe we are seeing some improvement, and want to confirm

one way or the other. My husband is not in favor of banding, though

he is willing - finally - to go along with it if that is my decision.

I may get clarity once I have the new numbers in a couple weeks,

though I currently remain on the fence since treatment seems like

such a big hassle/commitment. The STARband orthotist is nearly 3

hours away, so it's a big effort above and beyond whatever the

everyday effort that is involved. However, continuing to worry about

NOT doing anything is a big effort in its own way.

Any thoughts and personal experiences with mild plagio cases would be

greatly appreciated!!

I've posted a handful of pictures of Zia in the " Our Plagio Babies V

- Z. " None of them are very good, but hopefully it will give you a

sense of what I'm talking about. I've included one non-profile shot,

just for fun and to give you a sense of what she looks like to most

people, who aren't focusing on her head shape.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Amy

Chico, CA

Zia, 10.5 months, mild plagio and brachy (I think!)

November 5, 2009

Hi Amy--

I'll be honest and say that I probably wouldn't treat that.

She looks adorable and in proportion.

My son Elijah has very mild plagio, and the numbers (which I don't have--they

were just tape-measured and not accurate) put him in " mild " --but the kicker for

us was that his ears were out of line and his forehead and eye were pushed out.

From your picture, Zia looks like she's growing into any misalignments she might

have had.

Getting a helmet has been a great thing for us in making Elijah look more in

line, but it hasn't been a fun time; 5 months down and I hope we're getting it

off in two weeks. I think Zia looks as near to perfect as she's going to get---

But that's just my off-the-cuff opinion. I love that dark hair. I've got two

blonds and a light brown, so the dark-haired little princesses make me smile

Betsy