Re: Confused about measurements

[Guest guest]

A Cephalic Index of 4.1 Standard Deviations is approximately 92%. The

Cephalic Index is the head width divided by the head length.

ideal ratio - 78%

normal - 73-83%

moderate - 83.1% to 87.9%

severe - 88% and higher

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/300_399/0379.html

Molly

On Mar 19, 2010, at 7:38 PM, " " <ecmarmara@...> wrote:

> I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the

> meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to

> figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial

> Technologies and the report they gave us says:

>

> " She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial

> Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1

> Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age. "

>

> This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be

> posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be

> getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they

> have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only

> need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short

> of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out

> how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about

> who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense

> of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to

> endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we

> unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she

> will be miserable.

> Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know

> what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have

> read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on

> meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely

> even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to

> me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.

> Thank you!

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Thank you Molly! So, I'm guessing most people aim to have their child's head

ratio be in the 70s?

>

> > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the

> > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to

> > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial

> > Technologies and the report they gave us says:

> >

> > " She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial

> > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1

> > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age. "

> >

> > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be

> > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be

> > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they

> > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only

> > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short

> > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out

> > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about

> > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense

> > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to

> > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we

> > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she

> > will be miserable.

> > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know

> > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have

> > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on

> > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely

> > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to

> > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.

> > Thank you!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

My daughter wasn't diagnosed with brachy and she measures 85.7%. My ortho said the new norm is higher now and that most parents shoot for mid 80s. I'd like to hear what other parents think of that. Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 20, 2010, at 6:13 AM, "" <ecmarmara@...> wrote:

Thank you Molly! So, I'm guessing most people aim to have their child's head ratio be in the 70s?

>

> > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the

> > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to

> > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial

> > Technologies and the report they gave us says:

> >

> > "She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial

> > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1

> > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age."

> >

> > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be

> > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be

> > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they

> > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only

> > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short

> > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out

> > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about

> > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense

> > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to

> > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we

> > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she

> > will be miserable.

> > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know

> > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have

> > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on

> > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely

> > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to

> > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.

> > Thank you!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't remember anyone posting getting below 80. Now days with the

back sleeping, low 80's is really good.

Molly, I find it strange that according to this scale there is no such

thing as mild brachy. It goes from normal at 83 to moderate at 83.1.

is about exactly at 83.0% and a couple months ago when he was a

tiny bit above this, I didn't consider him to have moderate brachy. I

didn't even consider his brachy moderate at 86.7%, but much more mild.

As we've discussed on this board, these numbers are old, before the

back sleeping recommendations. Actually, I think would look odd

with 78% brachy since I think his head is naturally a bit wide.

Best,

Kathy

wrote:

Thank you Molly! So, I'm guessing most people aim to have their

child's head ratio be in the 70s?

>

> > I have been trying to look through various posts to

understand the

> > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able

to

> > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at

Cranial

> > Technologies and the report they gave us says:

> >

> > "She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base &

Cranial

> > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is

4.1

> > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age."

> >

> > This seems different from what I've been reading - others

seem to be

> > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will

definitely be

> > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They

said they

> > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably

only

> > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days

short

> > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure

out

> > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read

about

> > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the

expense

> > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have

to

> > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we

> > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I

think she

> > will be miserable.

> > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I

know

> > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I

have

> > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks

than on

> > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I

barely

> > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it

out to

> > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.

> > Thank you!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

well it isn't just the number. My daughter wore a band and got down to 85% (from

96%). She looks good but because she had brachy she has some funny angles that I

still notice. The head doesn't correct evenly in all areas. If you had a

slightly wider head that was more or less rounded that would be okay, but my

daughters head is still not shaped that way. So when deciding to band to begin

with, or when to quit, I don't think it is only numbers that matter. Also I

haven't heard of people starting a band with numbers below 85%+. Our doctor

recommends banding at 90% or above.

-christine

sydney, 4 yrs, starband grad

> >

> > > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the

> > > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to

> > > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial

> > > Technologies and the report they gave us says:

> > >

> > > " She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial

> > > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1

> > > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age. "

> > >

> > > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be

> > > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be

> > > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they

> > > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only

> > > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short

> > > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out

> > > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about

> > > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense

> > > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to

> > > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we

> > > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she

> > > will be miserable.

> > > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know

> > > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have

> > > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on

> > > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely

> > > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to

> > > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.

> > > Thank you!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with . Based upon the numbers that Molly posted, my daughter would be considered severe; however she does not look severe. And that isn't just to me. Even people who know she wore a helmet say that they would never consider her head to look any different that the other toddlers that they see. I do some some inperfections, especially with wet hair, but in all, she looks "mild" to me. She graduated around the number that they gave you (92.2 percent). She may be less now because we have done alternative treatments. Recent hand measurements said 91.3 percent, but again, this would officially be considered severe.

So, yes the measurements are important because we need something other than subjectivity. However, I'm not sure that they are the best measurements of severity, particularly in the case of brachy. This is especially true because there are documented genetic differences in what is normal in width for heads.

, mom to , 2.5 years

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land

Re: Confused about measurements

well it isn't just the number. My daughter wore a band and got down to 85% (from 96%). She looks good but because she had brachy she has some funny angles that I still notice. The head doesn't correct evenly in all areas. If you had a slightly wider head that was more or less rounded that would be okay, but my daughters head is still not shaped that way. So when deciding to band to begin with, or when to quit, I don't think it is only numbers that matter. Also I haven't heard of people starting a band with numbers below 85%+. Our doctor recommends banding at 90% or above. -christinesydney, 4 yrs, starband grad> > > > > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the > > > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to > > > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial > > > Technologies and the report they gave us says:> > >> > > "She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial > > > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1 > > > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age."> > >> > > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be > > > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be > > > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they > > > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only > > > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short > > > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out > > > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about > > > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense > > > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to > > > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we > > > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she > > > will be miserable.> > > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know > > > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have > > > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on > > > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely > > > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to > > > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.> > > Thank you!> > > > > >> > >> > >> > > ------------------------------------> > >> > > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

I have heard this in several places. Those old norms were based upon a study completed in the 1970s before babies slept on their backs. If I had to guess, I'd say that the new average is probably around 82 or 83. I've even seen where somebody posted a number of 84, but I don't know where it came from.

In any case, a number in the middle 80's is great to shoot for. Personally, my goal was to get down to 90, but that was because my daughter started at 95 percent at 14 months of age. I probably wouldn't have wanted a middle 80's number if we had banded her younger.

, mom to , 2.5 years

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land Re: Confused about measurementsMy daughter wasn't diagnosed with brachy and she measures 85.7%. My ortho said the new norm is higher now and that most parents shoot for mid 80s. I'd like to hear what other parents think of that. Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 20, 2010, at 6:13 AM, "" <ecmarmara@...> wrote:Thank you Molly! So, I'm guessing most people aim to have their child's head ratio be in the 70s?> > > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the > > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to > > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial > > Technologies and the report they gave us says:> >> > "She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial > > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1 > > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age."> >> > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be > > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be > > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they > > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only > > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short > > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out > > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about > > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense > > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to > > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we > > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she > > will be miserable.> > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know > > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have > > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on > > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely > > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to > > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.> > Thank you!> > > >> >> >> > ------------------------------------> >> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

It would be great if someone would do a new study so that current head shapes could be reflected.

I also find it odd that there is no "mild" and that two standard deviation is considered severe. Plus, we need to remember that the average for boys are different than for girls. Of course, that seems odd to me as well.

New research just needs to be done.

Re: Confused about measurementsHi,I don't remember anyone posting getting below 80. Now days with the back sleeping, low 80's is really good.Molly, I find it strange that according to this scale there is no such thing as mild brachy. It goes from normal at 83 to moderate at 83.1. is about exactly at 83.0% and a couple months ago when he was a tiny bit above this, I didn't consider him to have moderate brachy. I didn't even consider his brachy moderate at 86.7%, but much more mild. As we've discussed on this board, these numbers are old, before the back sleeping recommendations. Actually, I think would look odd with 78% brachy since I think his head is naturally a bit wide.Best,Kathy wrote:> >> Thank you Molly! So, I'm guessing most people aim to have their > child's head ratio be in the 70s?>> > >> > > I have been trying to look through various posts to understand the> > > meaning of the various measurements, but I haven't been able to> > > figure it out. We took our daughter for her consultation at Cranial> > > Technologies and the report they gave us says:> > >> > > "She could benefit from treatment. Severe Skull Base & Cranial> > > Vault Asymmetry along with increased width. Cephalic Index is 4.1> > > Standard Deviations away from normal for her Sex/Age."> > >> > > This seems different from what I've been reading - others seem to be> > > posting the Cephalic Index as a percentage. She will definitely be> > > getting a DOC band, and I asked if she would need 2. They said they> > > have no way of knowing. But they did say she will probably only> > > need to wear the band about 8 weeks. She will be a few days short> > > of 5 months old when she gets her band. I am trying to figure out> > > how severe her condition is compared to some others I've read about> > > who required 2 bands. I'm concerned not only because of the expense> > > of 2 bands, but also because I would rather that she not have to> > > endure a band all through the hot summer, especially since we> > > unfortunately do not have central air conditioning and I think she> > > will be miserable.> > > Can anyone share their explanation of the measurements, so I know> > > what to ask about when she goes for her scan on Wednesday? I have> > > read that it is better to focus more on how the child looks than on> > > meaurements, but I feel like I can't trust my judgement - I barely> > > even noticed this problem until the pediatrician pointed it out to> > > me. So I feel like I need something more concrete to go on.> > > Thank you!> > > > > >> > >> > >> > > ------------------------------------> > >> > > For more plagio info