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Preemies
Helmet Question
Hi Ladies, I have a quick helmet question. As a little background, my water broke at 24 weeks and my daughter was born at 33 weeks with no major complications. A month ago we had our daughter's head measured at CHOA in Atlanta. She measured at 9. The woman there said we could get a helmet but she would be fine without one as well. We decided to come back in a month and remeasure. We went back yesterday and she's now at 8.3. Even though there was improvement they are now recommending a helmet to correct her facial asymmetery, which is not very noticable. I asked our PT what she recommended and she felt that our daughter definitely did not need a helmet because her head is rounding out due to the therapy and facial asymmetry is not affected by a helmet. Anyone have any experiance with improved facial symmetry due to a helmet? Thanks!
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Re: Helmet Question
Hi, we were in a very similar place as you a few months ago. He had mild facial asymmetry (only noticeable if looking at his ears from the back) and a flat spot in the back.
After going back and forth a lot we decided to not do the helmet and just keep up the therapy. The helmet people kept telling us our son really needed it but our PT and high risk clinic doctor told us they didn't think he needed it -- just a lot of therapy and positioning. We stressed about it for a few months but now we are pretty happy we didn't do the helmet. His head shape is much better. His ears are still a little asymmetrical but not really noticeable. We did do a lot of PT and head positioning.
I wish I could give you an answer about helmets improving facial symmetry. In the end I suggest you go with your gut.
Lily born at 27 wks: 2 lbs 4 oz.
Max born at 27 wks: 2 lbs 2 oz.
Glenn born at 31 wks: 3 lbs 9 oz.
My twin's birth story
We chose to do helmet therapy with Ian. When he was first measured at 4 months old, he was a 15. After 3 months of PT, he was only down to a 12 and the window where helmet therapy would be helpful was closing, so we bit the bullet and did it.
In the first two weeks, he was from a 12 to a 7. And his facial asymmetry (which was mild) looked so much better. He looks like a completely different baby now. When we stopped helmet therapy, he was at a 1 and you can barely tell he had any issues.
I'm so glad we chose to do it, however it was for cosmetic reasons. He's an ID twin and we felt it would be awkward for them to look different. I'm really happy with the results, but it was expensive and I was told by the plastic surgeons that it wouldn't result in any mental or physical problems later on.
I don't think there's a right or wrong choice here, just what you feel is best for your family and your LO.