Helmet therapy: A treatment option for babies with misshapen heads

A baby's skull becomes deformed after long periods in one preferred position

Due to spending long periods of time on their backs, children's skulls may become deformed. Helmet therapy promotes spontaneous, healthy growth.

Due to spending long periods of time on their backs, children's skulls may become deformed. Helmet therapy promotes spontaneous, healthy growth.

Plagiocephaly most commonly arises if a child has a preference for one particular position. This can be corrected with conservative methods, such as alternating the position or physical therapy. A custom-fitted helmet may be a therapeutic option for positional plagiocephaly, an accompaniment to therapy for an underlying disease but also a treatment for other deformities of the head. The therapy can be applied in children over the age of four months. Helmet therapy is no longer advisable after 15 months. The fitted helmets are very readily accepted by the children and make an important contribution to their development.

Pre-examination and diagnosis.

If, in parallel to plagiocephaly, a child has an underlying structural or functional disease, an exact diagnosis will first be established and the condition possibly treated prior to fitting a helmet. This is an important part of our treatment concept for children with plagiocephaly. We also apply manual medical procedures in a non-invasive way, adapted specifically to the children.

Non-invasive measurement with a laser scanner.

A laser scan is used to determined the extent of the deformity.

A laser scan is used to determined the extent of the deformity.

A typical procedure when fitting such a helmet is to take a plaster impression. This procedure is made much easier for our centre's tiny patients. It takes just one and a half seconds to scan the child's head with a contact-free laser in order to obtain the data needed for producing the helmet. Such treatment is carried out by a highly experienced specialist. Dr. Hans-Joachim Kirlum has diagnostic and therapeutic expertise in this area and has been working very successfully with helmet therapies for more than four years. Depending on the clinical progress, the helmet will be worn for several months.

Therapy is tolerated very well by the children.

The helmet is carefully adjusted during the sitting.

The helmet is carefully adjusted during the sitting.

Helmet therapy fully exploits the development of the child's head. This is achieved by facilitating growth in the deformed areas of the head. As a rule, therapy commences at the age of four to six months, when the head is stable, and ends between the ages of 12 and 14 months - earlier if progress permits. Helmet therapy may no longer promise good results after the age of 15 months. The dynamic, plastic helmet should be fitted to match the ideal shape of the baby's head. Children readily accept the colourful designs of the helmets.

Treatment costs covered by statutory health insurance funds

For treatment to succeed, the child should wear the helmet for 23 hours a day, especially when sleeping. The other hour can be used to clean the helmet. On average treatment lasts four to six months, though an improvement is often seen after just a few weeks. Development is followed closely by taking regular measurements and photos until the child's second birthday. Whether such treatment is covered by statutory health insurance schemes needs to be clarified individually in each case. Usually the costs for the helmet are reimbursed. The parents will be actively supported by the workshop and the attending doctors in such negotiations.
After scanning the head with a laser, a true to scale model is produced. Plaster is then applied to the model, creating the helmet. The helmet is custom made in the orthopaedic workshop. A trial sitting is then held once the model is ready.
When fitting to the child's head, final adjustments may be needed. The helmets come in a variety of colours and designs. They are readily accepted by the children.

Please click on a picture.