Helmet therapy for craniosynostosis

Information for children and young people

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Helmet therapy for craniosynostosis PIAG 449 (651kB)

Why has a helmet been prescribed and what is my child entitled to?

• Your child has been prescribed a helmet following an endoscopic strip craniectomy for craniosynostosis.
• You will be provided with up to 3 helmets over 12 months.

What is involved in measuring for the helmet?

• 3D images will be taken following your child’s surgery, and the helmet will be created from this specifically for your child’s head shape and will be fitted at a later date.
• Your baby’s head shape will change more rapidly at the beginning of the process due to brain growth rate at this age. Therefore, we closely monitor this.

Why does my baby need more than one helmet?

• As your baby’s head grows, all the changes cannot be accommodated within the one helmet.
• A change in helmet is dependent upon your child’s head growth and shape change. Orthotics advise on the appropriate time for this.

Figure1 Images gained with parental consent

Craniofacial & Orthotics – Appointments

Date of surgery:

Cleaning the helmet

• It is important to keep the inside of the helmet, and your baby’s head clean to prevent germs.
• To clean the helmet, clean the inside with a baby wipe. If it is very dirty, use a little mild baby shampoo and a face cloth but ensure it is fully dried before putting the helmet back on.
• Do not immerse the helmet in water or apply heat.
• Only clean with baby shampoo and water unless advised otherwise by craniofacial nurse specialists.

Skin Care

• Your baby may get some redness or heat rash, this should resolve when having a breakout of the helmet.
• If it does not resolve/reduce or there are any signs of blistering.
• In the first instance please contact the craniofacial nurse specialists, we will advise you as necessary to contact tissue viability or the orthotics team.
• To look after your baby’s skin whilst in the helmet, a mild daily moisturiser (E45) is recommended to keep the skin moisturised. It is NOT recommended to use Sudocrem.

Getting started

• The helmet must be worn for 23 hours per day.
• The helmet must be donned and removed by opening BOTH clips, not just one side. This will cause breakages.
• The helmet should be treated as an additional layer of clothes and therefore to counteract the increase in body temperature, a layer of their clothing should be removed i.e., a vest or a blanket.

How is the helmet fitted, and adjusting the helmet

• The helmet will be designed from 3D photographs by TiMBANDAir™ and fitted by one of our trained Orthotists in clinic.
• You MAY be provided with additional pads at the first appointment. It is your responsibility to bring these with you to every review appointment. DO NOT add or remove these yourself without instruction from the clinician.
• You may find the helmet starts to become looser over the first few weeks. This is normal and will be addressed at review.

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

PIAG: 231