A Newcastle-based business is helping to prevent and cure Flat Head Syndrome in babies with their special pillow designed to help babies’ skulls develop normally, after the nephew of one of its directors developed the distressing condition.
Baby Leo, nephew of Dr. Hock Soon – director of MIMOs UK, developed Flat Head Syndrome when he was four months old. The condition affects over 47% of babies, and occurs when part of a baby’s head becomes flattened due to continued pressure on one spot.
The condition is particularly common in premature babies, due to their skulls being significantly softer than those of a full-term newborn, and the increased time spent on their back due to their fragility and increased medical needs.
While there are steps parents can take at home to prevent Flat Head Syndrome, such as tummy time and repositioning, for severe cases, specialist helmets maybe required.
These devices can cause distress and discomfort to the child and are very expensive.
Dr. Hock Soon, said: “When Leo developed Flat Head Syndrome there wasn’t any clear advice or guidelines available on prevention and treatment. Most of the information available online was mainly from the orthotic clinic that provide the helmet treatment.”
“Baby Leo was had his helmet custom made in the USA after visiting the local private orthotic clinic, it cost around $4000.
“I could tell that the helmet Leo had to wear wasn’t comfortable for him and he was getting very distressed and anxious. It was then that I started researching natural prevention and treatment methods for Flat Head Syndrome to see if there was an alternative.”
As a baby’s skull is very soft and malleable, early intervention can reverse the condition and avoid the need for the helmet treatment. Parents are advised to do supervised tummy time while the baby is awake, repositioning and removing the pressure from the flattened spot as much as possible.
Dr. Hock Soon, said: “Together with above advice and the use of MIMOS pillow many parents had reported back to us that they have seen great improvement within two weeks to three months.
“The MIMOs Pillow was developed after Leo had his treatment, so while he didn’t get to use it my own baby and younger nephews and nieces all had their own pillows for prevention of Flat Head Syndrome.”
Sian McKeown, from Glossop, baby suffered from Flat Head Syndrome said, “My daughter developed a flat head and once I started using the MIMOs Pillow I saw a difference within two weeks and after two months her head was normal.”
The MIMOs Pillow has been specially designed by doctors, neurosurgeons and physiologists to prevent and correct cranial deformities during a baby’s first few months, by increasing the area of contact beneath the head to relieve four times the amount of pressure.
Dr. Hock Soon, who worked as a research associate in the Institute of Neuroscience at Newcastle University, after completing his PhD in Microelectronics Engineering, received £300 startup funding from the university to bring the MIMOs Pillow to the UK in 2012.
Dr. Hock Soon, said: “The MIMOs Pillow is a comfortable and unrestrictive alternative to helmets, it allows the head to grow normally and round out to its natural shape. It is hypoallergenic and completely safe for direct contact with babies’ skin.
“Because the pillow is made from a 3D Mesh polyester, the structure is made up of 94% air, which makes it completely breathable and can also reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).”
There are two common types of Flat Head Syndrome. Plagiocephaly is a flattening on one side of a baby’s head, and Brachycephaly – where a baby’s head is disproportionately wide compared to its depth.
In recent years clinical studies have been carried out to investigate the long-term effects of flat head syndrome. While more studies are needed, current data gives evidence that the condition can lead to long term problems, such as a high risk for learning delays, orthodontic issues, Scoliosis, visual and auditory disturbances and psychological issues.
For more information on The MIMOs Pillow, or to learn more about Flat Head Syndrome visit,http://www.mimospillow.co.uk/