Among the recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death, the risk of put the baby to sleep on his back, which has decreased cases of sudden death syndrome but, on the other hand, has produced a significant increase in positional or "flat head" plagiocephaly in infants.
Positional plagiocephaly in infants and a cranial deformity which is produced by keeping the head constantly against the plane of the crib, cart or bed. There are mild, moderate and severe cases of plagiocephaly in terms of the degree of deformity. In recent years, one of the interventions that has been advised to correct this deformity is the use of a helmet.
But, Is it really advisable to use the corrective helmet in cases of children with mild or moderate plagiocephaly? There is some scientific literature in this regard, and various articles recommended to pediatricians, in general, prudence and to emphasize physiotherapy, rehabilitation maneuvers and advice to parents before recommending the helmet.
This is what they have asked in a study that critically values one of those studies in "Evidence in Pediatrics", entitled "The use of the helmet in infants with cranial deformation has a controversial efficacy."
In two groups of a total of 84 infants of five and six months with moderate cranial deformity (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly), in one the helmet was used and in another no. The number of children with complete recovery was similar in both groups, so it is concluded that, given the similar efficacy of both treatments, and the high costs and adverse effects derived from the helmet, its use is not advised in healthy infants with moderate deformities.
This is because in most cases the prognosis is favorable with conservative measures (physiotherapy and postural changes). Among the adverse effects of the use of the orthopedic helmet (which appear in 100% of children with helmets) are almost all due to discomfort and skin erosions.
Remember that, to prevent plagiocephaly It is recommended to try to have the baby sleep on his back or side, alternating the right and left side to support his head. And when a baby is awake, it will be turned upside down for a while and other methods are used to move it and not just the stroller: in arms, in backpacks, scarves or scarves ...
In "Evidence-based pediatrics" they conclude that it does not seem advisable to recommend "invasive" interventions such as the helmet in children with mild-moderate plagiocephaly (all children in the trial had it). It is very possible that infants recover spontaneously from this problem, with the help of minimal physiotherapy rehabilitation measures.
At the same time, they point out that until more data is available, the small number of children with severe plagiocephaly do recommend treatment of their helmet deformity.
On the contrary, according to these data it is concluded that the use of the orthopedic helmet does not seem advisable in mild or moderate cases. Remember to follow with your baby the recommendations to prevent the baby from having a "flat head".
