The danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) had doctors urging parents to place their babies on their backs when sleeping, but it had unintended consequences.
Babies’ heads are becoming misshapen and experts say that can lead to other health issues. It’s called Flat Head Syndrome and it now affects’ nearly one in ten infants.
Mother Kristina Netherlain says her baby Kaydence suffers from Flat Head Syndrome.
"Her head every week was becoming more and more misshaped," said Netherlain
Even Kaydence’s dad was concerned about his baby’s health.
"We didn't know what was going to happen. We didn't know if her head was going to be misshapen forever," said Aaron Hershman.
The medical term used for Kaydence’s condition is called Plagiocephaly.
"The symmetry in her face was changing very fast. Her jawline was flattening. This eye was getting smaller. This ear was coming forward," said Netherlain.
The medical term for Kaydence’s condition is Plagiocephaly. Doctors say the number of babies with this condition has gone up because parents are placing babies on their back when they sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS.
"Babies spend a significant more amount of time on their backs, causing this flat head shape,” said Occupational therapist Katie Stalnaker.
If the problem gets worse and goes untreated, it could lead to other problems.
"Jawline issues such as tmj or underbite, eye and ear misalignment. In addition to a concern of the airway passage potentially being shortened, causing sleep apnea or swallowing issues,” said Stalnaker.
The good news is it can be fixed. Special clinics address the problem though infant helmets and mold the baby’s head. These helmets are called doc bands. Here’s how they work. First, doctors take a photo of the baby’s head using 15 digital cameras. Then a 3D image is sent to a lab where they custom make a doc band for the baby’s head to make the head round again. The helmet is adjusted and shaved back as the baby’s head grows.
"We're encouraging growth into the flattened areas and we're also adjusting the band throughout the process, giving them more room where they need to grow,” said Stalnaker.
Kaydence has been in therapy six weeks and her parents say they can see a difference.
"We saw a complete round head and we were like almost in tears. So happy," said Netherlain
Treatment usually takes around ten weeks. Many kids with misshapen heads grow normally on their own, but if parents are worried, see a specialist. Early treatment is key especially during the first year when SIDS is most likely and bones are still growing.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement