TREATMENT PROCESS

The STARband © redirects head growth to improve proportion and symmetry, and derives its name from its purpose—Symmetry Through Active Remolding. The helmets are designed to provide total contact over the prominent or bossed areas of the baby’s head to discourage additional growth there. The inside of the helmet is modified to provide extra space in the areas of the head that are flat or depressed. The baby’s rapid head growth, especially during the first year of life and the shape of the helmet direct growth into the areas of least resistance and create a precise pathway for growth to occur. The practitioner progressively removes the foam liner or modifies the clear plastic over the course of the treatment program.

The practitioner will review the physician’s prescription or referral, conduct a thorough evaluation, talk to you about your baby’s history, and discuss the orthotic treatment program. In most cases, the practitioner will also take clinical photographs and a series of measurements with a caliper or a scan using the STARscanner laser data acquisition system. A scan or pictures and measurements will document your baby’s head shape at the beginning of treatment and will serve as a reference throughout the entire treatment program.  Then a helmet will be precisely fabricated to make your baby’s head more symmetrical and proportional.

Your baby will be fit with the helmet within two weeks of the casting or scanning date. During the first week you will monitor the baby’s skin, and within about 5 days your baby will progress to wearing the helmet 23 hours a day. About a week later, you will see your practitioner for a check of the fit and to address any questions you may have. After that, visits are usually scheduled every 2-3 weeks depending on how fast your baby is growing, and the need for foam removal in the areas of flattening. At each appointment the practitioner will check the fit and function of the helmet, document changes in the head shape, and make any adjustments necessary to direct growth into the flattened areas.  You are encouraged to contact your practitioner immediately if you have concerns about the fit, skin problems, or feel that your baby needs an adjustment before the next scheduled appointment.

Most babies wear a STARband © for 12-16 weeks if they are between the ages of four to seven months old. Older infants may require a longer treatment program because head growth slows after 12 months. Research indicates that the greatest symmetry can be attained before the baby is 12 months old, although correction is possible in babies up to 18 months. Your baby will wear the helmet 23 hours per day with one hour off for bathing and cleaning.  The practitioner will continue to document the head shape throughout the treatment program with measurements, scans or clinical pictures. Periodically the documentation will be compared to the original measurements and pictures to see what progress has been made. Typically, the decision to conclude treatment is made at the time the baby starts to outgrow the band.