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Infant Helmets in New York Serve Medical Purpose

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shorthillscranialcenter
Infant Helmets in New York Serve Medical Purpose

Some people see infant helmets in New York and wonder why an infant is wearing it. They serve a medical purpose.

When a child is diagnosed with plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, or scaphocephaly, one may be wondering about what treatment options are available. In most cases, the treatments are repositioning, physical therapy, and orthotic helmets. Sometimes there is surgery.

Many doctors won’t first jump to orthotic helmets unless necessary. These helmets, however, can be a powerful tool in helping a child’s head shape achieve a healthy and predictable pattern. They’re not for playing sports like many passersby may think!

The skull, in the baby, is made of tiny bones that aren’t entirely in place at birth. If they develop abnormally, craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly may happen. If the development is not taking place as expected, the doctor may suggest a New York Infant Helmet.

What conditions does it treat?

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly is not dangerous to a baby’s brain or development. It is not painful either. Plagiocephaly generally occurs when babies stay in one position for a long time.

 

The condition makes one side of the head appear flattened and a doctor may recommend a helmet for babies ages 6 to 8 months (if they are not responding to other treatments).

Craniosynostosis

When a baby’s cranial bones fuse too soon and restrict brain growth, the condition is called craniosynostosis. It results in an unusual skull shape as the brain grows in a constricted area.

Some of the symptoms include an uneven shape of the skull, missing or abnormal fontanel on the top of the baby’s head, abnormal growth of the baby’s head, and/or a hard edge along the suture that has closed too early.

Other symptoms may also include narrow or wide eye sockets, headaches, learning disabilities, and vision loss. Craniosynostosis treatment in New York almost always requires surgical procedures followed by helmet therapy.

In the end, what’s important to remember is that helmet therapy is a serious practice that can help an infant to develop properly. Trusting medical professionals to make good judgements about your child’s health is always a good idea!

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