Doc Band

As I mentioned in a previous post, our pediatrician, Dr. Lanman, referred Scarlett to Cranial Technologies in Dallas at her 4 month check-up so that they could evaluate the back of her head which has become flattened. We went on Wednesday and luckily my dad, aka Pa, went with us since Chris had to work. Based on their assessment of Scarlett which includes measurements and pictures, they have determined she will need the corrective helmet to remold her little flat head. My poor baby!

Cranial Technologies has named their corrective helmets "Doc Bands." Scarlett's condition is called "plagiocephaly" which results from external forces applied to the soft infant skull and "brachycephaly" in which the head flattens uniformly, causing a wider and shorter shape.

Although these conditions are caused by her sleeping on her back, they are unsure why only some children who sleep on their backs develop flat spots on their heads. She also favors looking to the right which has also added to the flattening. The condition cannot harm her brain or its development. However, if left untreated, she could have problems with face and ear asymmetry as well as vision and jaw/teeth problems.

Even though doctors consider this a medical condition and procedure, many insurance companies refuse to cover the cost of the corrective helmet, usually claiming that it's a cosmetic device. And because when it rains it pours, our insurance company has denied coverage, of course. We are going to appeal their decision, and believe me, they will be SICK of me by the end of this. Until our appeal process is over, and they make a definitive decision, we cannot get her in the helmet. We are unsure of how long we are willing to fight their decision because we want to get her in the helmet and get it over with!

Once she's in the helmet, the molding process should take around 6-12 weeks. My niece, London, also had to have a Doc Band so I guess that's why I'm able to handle this so well. My main concern is that Scarlett will be uncomfortable as she will have to wear the helmet 23 hours a day! But we'll deal with that when the time comes. She has beat jaundice and meningitis so I'm sure she's tough enough for this too! We would so appreciate your prayers as we endure yet another medical battle.

Here's my sweet London when she had her Doc Band!