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Original poster

Flat-headed baby: update

34 replies

ManchesterMummy · 21/02/2008 15:25

Hello

Some may remember that I posted a couple of weeks ago about my flat-headed DD.

Well, today I took her to a paediatrician, who, rather than reassured me, has got me even more worried! First of all, she decided DD had been referred "because of her big head". Fussed over the head circumfrence charts, measured my head, asked me of Dh had a big head and "we need to measure him asap". Said there might be fluid or something.

So then she tested various things and was really surprised that DD could indeed sit with help, lift her head from the floor etc. I was a bit at this point.

As some people said when I posted, as she gets more mobile the situation may improve, and since I went to my GP, DD has been flinging herself around her cot at night and to me her head is looking more curved.

Now, what's bothering me is the idea that there is something really wrong with DD, and also that noone sees fit to measure her length. She looks totally in proportion to me and seems long: so when the paed is going on about her head not being in proportion to weight I really don't know what to make of it!!! I couldn't make it to baby clinic this week but I'm going to insist that they measure her.

Anyway, she now has to have an ultrasound to see what's going on. They wanted me to go back later today - we're not exactly near the hospital and I didn't want to subject DD to a whole day in that sauna so we've got to go back for that.

I feel upset now - I mean, what can they possibly do if she does have a "big head" eh? A head reduction?!!!! I have to go back in 6 weeks and am considering asking to see another doctor, one who will not make out that there is something very wrong with my precious DD! The doctor said her head will never look right, but never mind her hair will cover it. No mention of severity of problem etc. I'm normally quite well-mannered but I seriously was thinking wtf at this point.

Sorry for the ramble. I know she was only doing her job and it's always better to be safe than sorry but surely a little empathy goes a long way!

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lollipopmother · 21/02/2008 15:29

It sounds like the doc got the wrong end of the stick to be honest. I've heard of babies with flat heads, isn't it just because they lie on their back all the time, as soon as they can sit up it rectifies itself.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 21/02/2008 15:36

OMG here we go again.

Measuring the baby's circumference does not tell you if the child has plagiocephaly. You need the assymetry measured.

It is not a cosmetic problem and hair covering it is not a helpful comment.

It doesn't always rectify itself when the baby starts to sit up - in fact true plagio won't.

Original poster
ManchesterMummy · 21/02/2008 15:41

Nab I think the problem was that the paed was under the impression that her referral was because of a big head.

TBH I don't know what to do now.

I'd forgotten that there was a bit of a debate when I posted originally. Sorry.

OP posts:
NAB3wishesfor2008 · 21/02/2008 15:44

Oh goodness, that wasn't what I meant about here we go again. Sorry.

I would go back to your GP and ask what is going on. FWIW when our DD was referred we weren't entirely sure what for either but it was where we found out she was hypotonic (not that he told us. We had to read it in her red book.)

ConnorTraceptive · 21/02/2008 15:47

Manchestermummy - my advice would be to let the pead do their investigation into head size just to eliminate any concern. For what it's worth my son has always been off the chart head size wise and he's perfectly fine (just tell him not to look down when he uses the stairs so he doesn't tip )

With regards to the plagio my ds also had that quite severly too. I can pretty much gaurantee you that an NHS pead will not address it as they consider it a cosmetic issue so I wouldn't waste your time pursuing them about it.

If you are concerned enough to want to think about helmet treatment then you will better off consulting one of the private helmet providers who will be able to tell you the severity of the plagio.

Original poster
ManchesterMummy · 21/02/2008 15:50

Will go back to GP - that's a good idea. Paed told me that my hv should keep an eye on it - hv told me there was no problem. Paed also told me off about DD's cradle cap. Olive oil is having no effect but she told me don't use anything else. And then was worried about DD's red cheeks. It was 25 degrees in there and DD doesn't like to be too hot.

Not a good day for ManchesterMummy.

OP posts:
NAB3wishesfor2008 · 21/02/2008 15:51

The NHS is meant to be changing its opinion on plagio and I would pursue all avenues to get the treatment you need. Unless you want to go to Harley Street and have £1500 for a helmet.

Get the assymetry measured and TBH I could tell you how severe it is.

Original poster
ManchesterMummy · 21/02/2008 15:53

Nab I may take you up on that!

OP posts:
ConnorTraceptive · 21/02/2008 15:56

Poor you so much conflicting opinions!!

Have you visited the website plagiouk? Lots of very good advice available there.

Having done the whole helmet treatment please feel free to ask any questions you have.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 21/02/2008 16:02

I am serious.

My DD had an assymetry of 1.7cm and after treatment had an assymetry of 0.3cm. Within a month she omproved by 1cm and the Doctor was as she was quite old to be having a helmet. They like to start treatment sooner.

mrsgboring · 21/02/2008 19:07

no exp of other problems, but don't use olive oil on cradle cap; it exacerbates it. Try a different oil for a bit and if that doesn't shift it, ask GP. There is an antifungal shampoo that works (for some reason, GP said they don't really know why) and it worked brilliantly for DS. It's not Dentinox, it's better, btu I can't remember the name unfortunately.

mejon · 22/02/2008 15:27

DD got prescribed some shampoo called Capasal for severe, scabby and infected cradle cap. It is coal-tar based and a bit smelly but it worked.

sfxmum · 22/02/2008 15:35

my dd had a very odd shaped head, like a wedge, which freaked us out a bit. but it improved rapidly and she is perfectly normal now

sfxmum · 22/02/2008 15:36

should have said improved once she was sitting up and became normal quickly

phlossie · 22/02/2008 16:34

I'd say that this sounds like a bedside manner problem. I'd let them do their tests to rule out any problems, and try to stay calm and ask lots of questions so you're quite sure what's going on. Ask the doctor/paed/hv whether length comes into it. It's important that they explain things properly, and worth bearing in mind that they have to be thorough because if they miss anything, the consequences could be awful.
(I've never treated cradle cap - thoght it was just csmetic - oops!)

Nbg · 22/02/2008 16:40

How worrying for you MM.
Why havent they taken her body length measurement?

I'm slightly worried atm as my ds2 who is 11 weeks is flat at one side of his head and always sleeps on the same side, leans to that side etc. Even his ear is flat to his head.
All his measurements have been ok but I'm still a bit concerned.

ConnorTraceptive · 23/02/2008 14:02

Nbg - It's worth looking at plagiouk for some repositioning tips to encourage baby to lie on non flat side. At 11 weeks repo could easily make a difference.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 23/02/2008 17:21

NBG - are the measurements the head circumference or the assymetry?

Nbg · 24/02/2008 09:47

Nab it was his head circumference. It was done at 8 weeks before his first lot of jabs.

I'll have a look at the site, thanks connor.

Do you think its worth mentioning to the hv?

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 24/02/2008 09:51

The circumference just tells you how the head is growing. It must be the assymetry that is measured and the instrument needed to do this looks a bit like salad servers. A GP needs to do this.

My HV told me DD had plagio and then left us to it with no info at all.

Nbg · 24/02/2008 10:01

Ahh right.

Well I know without an assymetry measurement that it wouldn't be right.
You can see his head his flat just by looking at him.

I've just had a look at the site and found another site that sells Goi Goi pillows.
Whenever I've rested him on a pillow he sleeps immeadiatly. I wonder if this is why?

I think I'll give my hv a call but by the sounds of it, its not a condition that is helped is it.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 24/02/2008 11:31

We put our trust in our GP (and they failed us imo) and the only reason we ever got her treated was after she had seen a hospital consulatant, he noted in her Red book she was hypotonic (didn't tell us) so when we got home I went on the internet to see what I could do to help. Found out it can be linked to plagio and luckily my husband worked with someone whose son had plagio and gave us the name of a Doctor in Harley Street. He asked us to email pics and we went up to see him within days.

She was 10 months by then so quite old for the helmet and he felt she was borderline so it had to be our decision. It was so hard but we went for it as we wanted to be able to tell her we had at least tried.

She wore the helmet for 1 month, 23 hours a day, and then we went back to Harley Street. She had gone from 1.7cm to 0.7cm. The doctor was amazed as he never expected such a vast improvement. He wrote a paper on her he was so surprised. She wore the helmet for 3 months in total and her assymetry was last measured at 0.3cm, we stopped the helmet then.

If you take a photo of your baby (how old now?) looking down on the top of his head and would like to email it to me I can give you my opinion, but obviously I am not a doctor.

mushy31894atfsmaildotnet but no pressure if you would rather not.

HTH.

Nbg · 24/02/2008 11:44

Actually I will if you dont mind.

Thats amazing about your dd and in such a short amount of time too.

Is plagiocephaly not treated on the nhs?

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 24/02/2008 11:50

No. They think it is cosmetic.

We went privately for various things for DD but had insurance so some was paid for.

I am cooking lunch so don't think I am ignoring you if I don't reply straight away. If you let me know on here once the pic is done and sent I will answer that as soon as I see.

Nbg · 24/02/2008 11:57

I've just sent it Nab.

Thanks ever so much.