Flat Head Syndrome

Flat Head Syndrome Helmets
News

Should Insurance Pay For Flat Head Helmets?

Are insurance companies using their noggins?
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Are insurance companies using their noggins? The Back to Sleep campaign has succeeded in reducing the occurrence of SIDS by almost 50 percent, but doing so has led to an increase in the number of babies experiencing flat head syndrome. Some doctors estimate that one in 40 babies will be affected.

While some mamas look to reshape their lil one's heads for aesthetic reasons, there are medical reasons to do so too. Flat heads can lead to more ear infections, which, in turn, can result in language disorders and learning disabilities. Treatment for the syndrome usually resides in cranial molding helmets with hard outer shells and foam inner linings that discourage continued growth in the wrong direction. The helmets, which can cost up to $2,500 are normally covered by insurance, but military families – whose budgets are already stretched – are finding that their insurance won't foot the bill because it's not a proven cure.

Should insurance policies pay for such corrective devices?

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Flat Head Syndrome in Babies
Baby

SIDS Campaign Resulting in Many Flat Heads

Back to sleep! The anti-SIDS slogan, which was introduced in 1994, is so ingrained in most moms that they don't give it a second thought when putting their wee ones down for some shut-eye.
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Back to sleep! The anti-SIDS slogan, which was introduced in 1994, is so ingrained in most moms that they don't give it a second thought when putting their wee ones down for some shut-eye. Though the campaign is credited with preventing 2,000 additional SIDS cases each year for the past 15 years, doctors have determined that one in 40 will develop a flat head.

According to The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, flat head syndrome can lead to more ear infections, which, in turn, can result in language disorders and learning disabilities. The researchers have seen a 49 to 54 percent increase in these types of ear infections. If a baby appears to develop a flat head, special helmets can help reshape the skull. To see some of our tips for keeping your tot's head round, just click here.

Did your lil one develop a flat head due to sleeping on his back?

Flat Head Syndrome
Health and Fitness

Baby Wellness: Preventing Flat Head

For years now, the American Association of Pediatrics has promoted the "Back to Sleep Campaign" to help reduce the risk of SIDS.
by babysugar

For years now, the American Association of Pediatrics has promoted the "Back to Sleep Campaign" to help reduce the risk of SIDS. Since the campaign started nearly 13 years ago, SIDS-related deaths have decreased by more than 50 percent. While that stat is something to cheer about, there is one drawback to babies snoozing on their backs — they may develop flat areas on their heads if they stay in one position too long. Pediatricians generally check to ensure infants are not developing such an issue. If, however, a child appears to have areas of concern, there are steps that a parent can take to keep a nice round noggin and prevent positional plagiocephaly, also known as flat head. To see what they are, read more