Cranial remolding helmets are specialized medical devices designed to gently reshape a baby’s skull. These helmets address head shape anomalies that can develop in infancy, guiding the skull’s growth into a more symmetrical form.
Understanding Cranial Remolding Helmets
Cranial remolding helmets, also known as cranial orthoses, are custom-fitted devices used to treat specific head shape conditions in infants. The most common conditions addressed are plagiocephaly, characterized by a flat spot on one side of the head, and brachycephaly, which involves an overall flattening across the back of the head. These conditions often arise from external pressures on a baby’s soft, pliable skull, such as spending extended periods in one position, or can be influenced by issues like torticollis, a tightening of neck muscles.
The helmets work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to the prominent areas of the skull while allowing space for the flattened regions to grow and round out. As a baby’s brain grows, the helmet redirects this natural growth, guiding the skull towards a more balanced shape. This non-invasive approach helps in gradually molding the head during the period of rapid infant head growth.
Factors Influencing Treatment Duration
The duration a baby wears a cranial remolding helmet typically ranges from two to six months. This timeframe is influenced by several factors unique to each child. A primary determinant is the baby’s age at the beginning of treatment; earlier intervention often leads to a shorter duration because a young infant’s skull bones are more pliable and their brain grows rapidly. For instance, head growth is particularly fast in the first six months of life, which allows for more efficient reshaping.
The severity of the head shape asymmetry also plays a significant role in treatment length. More pronounced flattenings may require a longer period of correction compared to milder cases. Consistent adherence to the prescribed wearing schedule is important for effective and timely results. Babies typically wear their helmets for around 23 hours a day, removing them only for bathing and cleaning.
Progress is carefully monitored through regular clinical visits where the orthotist takes measurements and makes adjustments to the helmet. These adjustments accommodate the baby’s growth and ensure the helmet continues to apply appropriate pressure, facilitating the desired reshaping. This ongoing assessment helps determine when the treatment goals have been met.
Life with a Helmet
Adjusting to a baby wearing a cranial helmet involves establishing a routine for daily care and hygiene. The helmet should be cleaned regularly, typically once or twice a day, using mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol. This helps prevent odors and skin irritation caused by sweat and oils that can accumulate inside the helmet. It is important to ensure the helmet is completely dry before placing it back on the baby’s head.
Skin care is also important, as babies may experience some sweating. Parents should regularly check the baby’s skin for any signs of redness or irritation, especially when the helmet is removed for cleaning. If persistent redness or pressure marks are observed that do not disappear within an hour, the orthotist should be contacted for an adjustment.
The helmet is designed to be worn continuously for the prescribed hours, typically 23 hours a day, allowing for normal daily activities like sleeping, feeding, and playing. Orthotists make frequent adjustments to the helmet to account for the baby’s head growth, ensuring proper fit and continued effectiveness.
Transitioning Out of Treatment
The decision to discontinue helmet treatment is made when optimal head shape correction has been achieved or when the baby’s head growth begins to slow significantly. Most cranial growth occurs within the first year of life, and the skull’s malleability decreases as the baby ages. Therefore, treatment is typically completed before the skull bones fully fuse, which generally happens around 18 to 24 months of age.
After the helmet is removed, the results are generally lasting because the skull bones continue to harden as the child grows. Head shape improvements are stable following the completion of therapy. Continued monitoring of the child’s head shape may occur during routine pediatrician visits, though significant changes are unlikely post-treatment.