Mum's plea
FLAT head syndrome is an increasingly common condition for babies — but treatment for plagiocephaly, its medical name, is not available on the NHS.
Despite the fact that a simple helmet can drastically improve the condition, there are only two clinics in the UK — in Leeds and London — where parents can turn to for help.
So when Dave and Triinu Holman first raised the issue of their daughter Amalia's abnormal head shape with paediatricians and health visitors at her six week check-up, confusion reigned.
Dave said: "Amalia was always lying on her right side. We brought it up at the six week check-up as we were a bit worried about it.
"It seemed to be getting worse but we were told from day one it would sort itself out and, even if it didn't, her hair would cover it."
Had it not been for a Philpstoun mum, whose baby son also has plagiocephaly and wears a helmet, the Holmans, of Belsyde Court, Linlithgow Bridge, may have remained in the dark.
Triinu said: "We got talking and she said she'd question the advice we'd been given.
"That night we took a good look at Amalia. It was so bad we knew it wasn't going to sort itself out. I just burst into tears."
But the Holmans researched plagiocephaly on internet site http://groups.msn.com/Plagio
UK and discovered hundreds of parents in the same position.
They also found out about a Leeds clinic's custom-made STARband helmet which could gradually correct Amalia's head.
Dave said: "At first we were sceptical but we had to think about her future. Some parents had left it too late and their
children were being bullied. We didn't want that for Amalia so we made an appointment."
Just two weeks after the helmet was fitted, Dave (31) and Triinu (35) are amazed by the results.
Six-month-old Amalia has adapted well to the
helmet, which she will wear for around three months.
Dave and Triinu, who paid 1850 for private treatment, must travel to Leeds every three weeks for helmet adjustments. But the couple, who also have a two-and-a-half year-old son Fraser, agree it's worthwhile.
Triinu said: ''Amalia wasn't born with plagiocephaly. If we'd repositioned her head while she was sleeping she wouldn't need this helmet. It's very sad, but we can't turn the clock back. All we can do is try to raise awareness."
The Holmans now hope that the NHS will change its policy.
Dave explained: "Babies are given helmets in America and Germany and it's no big deal. Here it's 'a cosmetic issue'.
"Amalia has severe plagiocephaly and asymmetry on the right side of her face — her ears are out of alignment, there's a slight bulge in her forehead, her jaw is slightly forward and her cheek is swollen.
"Wearing this helment 23 hours a day will improve things.
''You can't get it on the NHS but ear pinning and post-
pregnancy tummy tucks are available. The system is all wrong. We feel we've been caught up in a political issue. "There's a lack of understanding and information. We have spoken to our MSP Fiona Hyslop in the hope that other parents won't have to go through this."
The Holmans, hope by sharing their experience, other mums and dads will be able to learn about re-positioning techniques which could help.
Triinu said: ''Parents who notice that their baby is lying on the one side all the time should find out more about re-positioning before it's too late."
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Weather for Linlithgow
Thursday 24 May 2012
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