It was the day of Liam and Ben's Christening and everything turned out great in the end. (Not without some major stress in the morning lol)The priest was lovely, really friendly.
Ben had his helmet off for the day, it was great to see my gorgeous little boy's hair for once! They both looked so cute and everyone commented on how rounded Ben's head was becoming :)
Off on our hols on 22nd, going to take Ben swimming for the first time. More helmet free time :)
Friday 21 May 2010
12th May 2010
Took Ben for his appointment today, the width of Ben's head has reduced by another 5mm. So its now 1cm longer than wide!
His brachycephaly has gone down to 96%. And he's allowed the have the helmet off for his christening on Sunday, so pleased!
Still a way to go but he's doing great!
His brachycephaly has gone down to 96%. And he's allowed the have the helmet off for his christening on Sunday, so pleased!
Still a way to go but he's doing great!
Sunday 9 May 2010
Some info about Brachy and Plagio
About plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is defined as the oblique deformity of the skull, consisting in the greater development of the anterior part on one side and of the posterior part on the other.
In other words, it relates to a partial flattening of the back of the head which gives a slightly distorted look to the head shape and which can cause a misalignment of the ears and eyes. While it has not been identified as the specific cause of any medical problems in later life, any misalignment of the skull resulting from plagiocephaly may in severe cases contribute to jaw and dental problems and the negative psychological effects of teasing and bullying in the child's formative years.
Brachycephaly
Brachycephaly is similar to plagiocephaly, but is indicated by a flatness across the full extent of the back of the head, and occasionally by a corresponding flatness across the forehead.
Both conditions are more prevalent in boys than girls, and are caused by a variety of factors. These include:
1 Craniosynotosis
Plagiocephaly can be caused by craniosynostosis, which occurs when the cranial sutures ossify prematurely and prevent further growth in the affected area while the skull continues to grow elsewhere. Plagiocephaly caused by craniosynostosis cannot be treated with a helmet, and surgery is the only option for correction.
2 Back-sleeping
Recent recommendations for back-sleeping to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death) are believed to be a major contributor to the flattening of babies' skulls. With young babies spending most, if not all, of their time either asleep on their backs, in a car seat, being carried in a baby carrier or lying in someone' s arms, the backs of their heads are under constant external pressure.
3 Pregnancy
It is believed that a lack of amniotic fluid in the womb may also make babies more prone to plagiocephaly, as may the journey through the birth canal and the eventual method of delivery. Breech babies can also become wedged beneath the mother' s ribs, which may also be a contributory factor.
4 Prematurity
Premature babies are more prone to plagiocephaly because their skulls are softer and more malleable than full-term babies.
5 Torticollis
A tightness or shortening of the muscles on one side of the neck, called Congenital Muscular Torticollis, can cause babies to look only in one direction and therefore to sleep with their head in one position. This causes continual external pressure to one side of the back of the head, which can again result in plagiocephaly.
Plagiocephaly is defined as the oblique deformity of the skull, consisting in the greater development of the anterior part on one side and of the posterior part on the other.
In other words, it relates to a partial flattening of the back of the head which gives a slightly distorted look to the head shape and which can cause a misalignment of the ears and eyes. While it has not been identified as the specific cause of any medical problems in later life, any misalignment of the skull resulting from plagiocephaly may in severe cases contribute to jaw and dental problems and the negative psychological effects of teasing and bullying in the child's formative years.
Brachycephaly
Brachycephaly is similar to plagiocephaly, but is indicated by a flatness across the full extent of the back of the head, and occasionally by a corresponding flatness across the forehead.
Both conditions are more prevalent in boys than girls, and are caused by a variety of factors. These include:
1 Craniosynotosis
Plagiocephaly can be caused by craniosynostosis, which occurs when the cranial sutures ossify prematurely and prevent further growth in the affected area while the skull continues to grow elsewhere. Plagiocephaly caused by craniosynostosis cannot be treated with a helmet, and surgery is the only option for correction.
2 Back-sleeping
Recent recommendations for back-sleeping to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death) are believed to be a major contributor to the flattening of babies' skulls. With young babies spending most, if not all, of their time either asleep on their backs, in a car seat, being carried in a baby carrier or lying in someone' s arms, the backs of their heads are under constant external pressure.
3 Pregnancy
It is believed that a lack of amniotic fluid in the womb may also make babies more prone to plagiocephaly, as may the journey through the birth canal and the eventual method of delivery. Breech babies can also become wedged beneath the mother' s ribs, which may also be a contributory factor.
4 Prematurity
Premature babies are more prone to plagiocephaly because their skulls are softer and more malleable than full-term babies.
5 Torticollis
A tightness or shortening of the muscles on one side of the neck, called Congenital Muscular Torticollis, can cause babies to look only in one direction and therefore to sleep with their head in one position. This causes continual external pressure to one side of the back of the head, which can again result in plagiocephaly.
Ben's first check up 21st April 2010
We took Ben to Leeds today to see his clinician Sandie and the width of his head has reduced by 5mm already. It doesn't sound much but considering he's only had the helmet on for just under two weeks, its a great start. I'm so pleased! Sandie was really pleased too and told us it was an excellent start.
His brachycephaly has gone from 103% to 99% so his head is now longer than it is wide :) so happy!
Next appointment 12th May 2010, MIL's birthday!
His brachycephaly has gone from 103% to 99% so his head is now longer than it is wide :) so happy!
Next appointment 12th May 2010, MIL's birthday!
15th April 2010
Yesterday was Ben's first full day in the helmet. He doesn't even know he's got it on!
Went out shopping yesterday, can't believe the amount of people that where rubber necking to have a look at him. Anyone would think he had a TV on his head the way they were looking at him! I just stared back at them. I hope they felt uncomfortable.
Went out shopping yesterday, can't believe the amount of people that where rubber necking to have a look at him. Anyone would think he had a TV on his head the way they were looking at him! I just stared back at them. I hope they felt uncomfortable.
11th April 2010
Its my nephew Joshua's 5th Birthday, we went to the Wacky Warehouse and then for a meal. Had a few stares but nothing too bad. He's been fine in his helmet so far apart from him getting a bit sweaty bless him.
Ben's helmet fitting 9th April 2010
Well Ben had his helmet fitted today. It was really fiddly to put on at first but I think I've got the hang of it!
Today he has to have it on for an hour then off for an hour.
The day has finally arrived! 25th March 2010
We took Ben for his assessment today, his cranial index is 103% and the normal range is 78-85%, which means he has severe Brachycephaly. Basically, his head is 103% wider than its is long and the width should be 78-85% of its length. His asymmetry is 3mm, which is within the normal range. I was pleased about that as its easier to treat brachy or plagio on its own compared to a combination of the two.
We decided to go ahead with the helmet treatment and had the scans done so a mould could be created and sent off so Ben's helment could be produced. Luckily, Glyn had some compensation money come through from a car accident last year so this has covered most of the bill.
The date for the fitting is 9th April. Ben will be 5 months exactly. The optimum age to start helmet treatment is 4-6 months so hopefully it will work!
We decided to go ahead with the helmet treatment and had the scans done so a mould could be created and sent off so Ben's helment could be produced. Luckily, Glyn had some compensation money come through from a car accident last year so this has covered most of the bill.
The date for the fitting is 9th April. Ben will be 5 months exactly. The optimum age to start helmet treatment is 4-6 months so hopefully it will work!
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