| The Executive is developing a leaflet with NHS Scotland to raise awareness of plagiocephaly, where the back or one side of a baby’s head is mis-shapen.
Mandy Muir (36), whose daughter Annabel suffers from plagiocephaly, set up a support group for parents whose babies suffer from the condition.
Mandy handed over a 15,000-signature petition calling on the Executive to ensure skull abnormalities in babies are properly recognised and treated.
“This is a huge step forward and is due to the petition we handed to MSP’s,” said Mandy. “We asked for all parents to be advised on causes, prevention and treatments of plagiocepahly.
“While we have always advocated the back to sleep campaign (named for its recommendation to place healthy babies on their backs to reduce the risk of cot death) it is also extremely important parents are made aware of plagiocephaly.
“Plagiocephaly can potentially affect 50% of all babies under the age of one if correct advice is not given. Hopefully we will see further improvements in the future.”
Mandy’s group is also calling for funding for a medical trial using cranial remoulding treatment (helmet therapy), which coaxes the head back into a much rounder shape.
Wearing a padded helmet, which reshapes the head as the bones grow, can remedy the condition, but according to the NHS it is cosmetic and does not warrant treatment.
An Executive spokeswoman said, “We recognise the need to raise awareness of the condition and that’s why we are developing a leaflet with NHS Health Scotland.
“We know the issue is of real concern to parents and we hope the action we are taking will help reduce the increase in reported cases of plagiocephaly.
“However, paediatric neurosurgeons in Scotland consider that in most cases of simple postural plagiocephaly, the majority of children's heads will go back to a normal shape by the age of five without treatment.
“There is no scientific evidence to support the use of helmets over less intrusive methods of prevention and treatment.” |
