Demi Psaila

Baby – Demi Psaila

Parents – Sharon Sammon and Michael Psaila

Location – Rochdale, Lancashire

Demi wearing her new Starband™ Helmet

Diagnosis – Severe plagiocephaly (17mm asymmetry) and severe brachycephaly (cranial index of 104%)

Age treatment started – 5½ months

Age treatment finished – 8 months

Demi Psaila was born in September 2004. Just five weeks later her grandmother noticed that Demi's head was flat on one side and that she was having trouble moving her neck. Concerned with this, Demi's parents, Michael Psaila and Sharon Sammon, took her to the GP, but they were advised that her head would round out on its own.

Over the next few months, the family returned twice more to the GP, but after each visit they came away unhappy that no course of action had been recommended. Finally, they demanded a referral to a specialist, and Demi was seen by a physiotherapist at their local hospital, who diagnosed torticollis.

Torticollis is a condition where the neck muscles are tight on one side. It can give rise to plagiocephaly, because it means the baby prefers to hold its head to one side only. Resting constantly on one spot can flatten the head in this area. If left untreated, torticollis can also contribute to the worsening of the head shape.

Apart from diagnosing and treating the torticollis, the physiotherapist also knew about plagiocephaly and told Demi's parents about cranial remoulding using a STARband. Delighted to discover that treatment was available, Michael and Sharon immediately made an appointment to see Stephen Mottram at the Leeds centre.

At her appointment, Demi's head was scanned using the STARscanner™, a process that took less than two seconds. Together with some very advanced software, the scan produced a three-dimensional computerised image of Demi’s head. This output allowed orthotist Stephen Mottram to give a diagnosis of Demi’s condition that was accurate down to a fifth of a millimetre. The scan would also be used to chart Demi’ progress, to show by how much her head was growing and exactly where it was changing shape.

Demi was diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. Her head was asymmetrical by 17mm, and with a cranial index measurement of 104%, it was actually wider than it was long.

"We had great confidence in Steve," says Demi's father, Michael. "He explained all about Demi's condition and how the STARband would gradually allow her head to grow into a more normal shape. We knew it was the right choice of treatment for Demi."

Demi's case is unusual in that it is one of the very few to be funded on the NHS. Michael and Sharon were pleased to learn that the Fairfield General Hospital in Bury would pay in full for the treatment.

Demi's STARband was fitted when she was just over five months old. Michael and Sharon were unconcerned with others' reactions to her new headgear, "All our family welcomed the STARband and were so positive about it,” says Michael. “Strangers often stared, but it didn't affect us, as we knew people would be curious. Anyway, Demi got plenty of smiles too, so that made up for it."

Demi took to her STARband well and Michael and Sharon reported that she even appeared to love wearing it. Her review appointments showed constant progress, and her head shape improved steadily.

After three months, Demi was able to complete treatment with an asymmetry of just 7mm and a cranial index of 91%; both measurements that are within the normal range.

Says Sharon, "We are extremely pleased with Demi's final head shape. The results have been beyond our expectations. We really could not be happier. We would recommend the STARband treatment to anyone whose baby has plagiocephaly. It only took three months, and was incredibly effective - as you can see from Demi's lovely round head."

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Demi before and after STARband treatment