Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E. --Welcome Natalie to our STARband Family!

Hi Friends.  Meet Natalie.  She is our newest addition to our STARband family.  We were able to make a donation of a STARband to Natalie and her family.  Special thanks to Blake at Orthomerica, Inc. and Level Four Orthotics.  Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to assist this family in need.  Kudos to everyone involved.

Natalie's family will be blogging on our website HERE .  Check it out and stop back often for updates on her progress.





Gary Tate Jr.
President and Founder
Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E.
Pittsburgh, PA
412-860-4557
Gary@alexandrasphate.org

Do you know what Torticollis Looks Like? We didn't either!

Isn't This picture adorable? We thought so too. However, it was trying to tell us something, but we couldn't see the forest through the trees. What Does Torticollis Look Like? Hmm, the first question people usually ask is, What is torticollis? Most new parents are completely unaware of what to look for when they bring their newborn home from the hospital. If during your pregnancy, you had low amniotic fluid, or your baby was breech there is a higher possibility of torticollis. In our case, low amniotic fluid caused our baby's head to be held in the same position because of lack of room to move.

This lack of movement, caused the sternocleidomastoid muscle to be tight on her left side(Torticollis or Wry Neck). We have created a video to show parents the signs of Torticollis in infants. Initially, most won't see any issue with the photos, but it is plain as day. If you know what Torticollis looks like. Had we been able to view this early on in Alexandra's life, we would have know right away, what Tortcollis looks like. You can link directly to the video by clicking here.

Gary Tate Jr. President and Founder Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E. Pittsburgh, PA 412-860-4557

gary@alexandrasphate.org

How Is Plagiocephaly Different From Craniosynostosis?

 

What is deformational plagiocephaly?

Deformational (or positional) plagiocephaly refers to a misshapen (asymmetrical) shape of the head (cranium) from repeated pressure to the same area of the head. Plagiocephaly literally means "oblique head" (from the Greek words "plagio" for oblique and "cephale" for head).

How is deformational plagiocephaly different from craniosynostosis?

Craniosynostosis is premature fusion of one or more of the sutures in the skull. True synostosis may limit the size of the cranial vault (skull) and therefore impair brain growth. The diagnosis is made after a clinical evaluation by a craniofacial surgeon and/or a neurosurgeon. X-rays and CT scans of the head may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. Surgery is usually the recommended treatment.

In deformational plagiocephaly, there is no fusion of the skull sutures. It is a clinical diagnosis made after a thorough medical history and physical examination by a craniofacial surgeon or neurosurgeon. X-rays and/or CT scans are usually not necessary. Treatment of deformational plagiocephaly generally includes positioning and/or helmeting.

The major differences between craniosynostosis and deformational plagiocephaly are summarized in the chart below:

	craniosynostosis	deformational plagiocephaly
head shape:	asymmetrical head	asymmetrical head
results from:	internal events	external molding
fusion of cranial sutures:	premature fusion of cranial suture(s)	normal cranial sutures
diagnosis:	made with x-rays and CT scans	usually made without x-rays and other imaging studies
treatment:	surgery	positioning and/or helmeting
causes:	unknown	may include back sleeping, restrictive intrauterine environment, muscular torticollis, prematurity

 

What causes deformational plagiocephaly?

By keeping an infant's head in one position for long periods of time, the skull flattens (external pressure). Occasionally, a baby is born with this flattening because of a tight intrauterine environment (i.e., in multiple births, small maternal pelvis, or with a breech position). Other factors which may increase the risk of deformational plagiocephaly include the following:

• muscular torticollisOne cause of deformational plagiocephaly may be muscular torticollis. Muscular torticollis is a congenital (present at birth) finding in which one or more of the neck muscles is extremely tight, causing the head to tilt and/or turn in the same direction. Torticollis is often associated with the development of plagiocephaly since the infant holds his/her head against the mattress in the same position repeatedly.
• prematurityPremature infants are at a higher risk for plagiocephaly since the cranial bones become stronger and harder in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. Also, since many premature infants spend extended periods of time in the neonatal intensive care (NICU) unit on a respirator, their heads are maintained in a fixed position, increasing the risk for this condition.
• back sleepingInfants who sleep on their backs or in car seats without alternating positions for extended periods of time are also at a higher risk for deformational plagiocephaly.

 

Treatment for deformational plagiocephaly:

Specific treatment will be determined by your child's physician based on the severity of the deformational plagiocephaly. Frequent rotation of your child's head would be the first recommendation once your infant has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Alternating your infant's sleep position from the back to the sides, and not putting infants on their backs when they are awake may also help prevent and treat positional plagiocephaly. Some cases do not require any treatment and the condition may resolve spontaneously when the infant begins to sit.

If the deformity is moderate to severe and a trial of re-positioning has failed, your child's physician may recommend a cranial remodeling band or helmet.

How does helmeting correct deformational plagiocephaly?

Helmets are usually made of an outer hard shell with a foam lining. Gentle, persistent pressures are applied to capture the natural growth of an infant's head, while inhibiting growth in the prominent areas and allowing for growth in the flat regions. As the head grows, adjustments are made frequently. The helmet essentially provides a tight, round space for the head to grow into.

How long will my child wear a helmet?

The average treatment with a helmet is usually three to six months, depending on the age of the infant and the severity of the condition. Careful and frequent monitoring is required. Helmets must be prescribed by a licensed physician with craniofacial experience.

Source:  Lucile Packard's Childrens Hospital at Stanford

If you have any questions, or need more information, please fill out the "contact me" for below or call 412-860-4557.

Gary Tate Jr.
President and Founder
Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E.
Pittsburgh, PA
412-860-4557
gary@alexandrasphate.org

Pay It Forward! 10th Annual Children's Hospital Toy Drive in Memory of Sammy Tennyson.

Hi PHATE friends.  We know this is early, but we really wanted to help The Tennyson's with the Chidren's Hospital Toy Drive this year.  In Memory of Sammy Tennyson. 

It is time for us to PAY IT FORWARD and we are hoping you can help.

For more information, contact us at gary@alexandrasphate.org

LOOKING FOR A GOOD CAUSE OR CHARITY TO GIVE TO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

10th Annual Children’s Hospital Toy Drive in Memory of Sammy Tennyson

Our family is getting ready to load up the U-Haul and play Santa once again!

We are collecting new toys and donations to be hand delivered to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh before Christmas.

This will be our 10th Annual toy collection drive in loving memory of our son Sammy Tennyson who passed away 4 days before Christmas in 2001. We decided that year to donate all of his Christmas presents to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh since he spent so much time there. Sammy had a very rare Metabolic disorder called Carnitine Acylcarnitine Translocase Deficiency (CACT), where your body is unable to absorb certain fats for energy. He is only 1 of 30 cases ever reported. Each year we will continue this tradition in loving memory of our son.

So, if anyone is interested in donating, we are accepting any kind of new toy from: books, videos, board games, puzzles, Barbie's, stuffed animals and toys for teenage kids too! All toys must be new but books, DVD’s and video games may be used if they are still in good shape. We will also accept monetary donations that will be combined to purchase items such as Playstations, XBOX, video games, DVD players, etc for the play rooms. Checks can be made payable to Lisa Tennyson and they will be combined together to purchase gifts donated in the name of our son, Sammy Tennyson.

The purpose of our toy drive is to brighten a child's life and let them forget about their pain even if it is only for a little while. Toy donations will be given to the Child Life Department, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. This department provides activities, toys, movies, and other special projects for the in-house patients. (Any and all donations that are not given out at Christmas will be used throughout the year for prizes such as Bingo or other games, birthdays, etc.)

All toys must be "UNWRAPPED" due to security reasons and this also gives the opportunity for the staff to give each child an age-appropriate toy.

Toys or donation can be mailed to:


Lisa Tennyson
25 Fayette Ave
Oakdale, PA 15071
Email: douglas.tennyson@verizon.net
Phone # 724-693-2705

We would be more than happy to come pick it up! We are taking donations up to Monday December 19th and will be delivering them to Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, December 21st.

We’d like to thank everyone in advance and wish all of you a happy and healthy Holiday Season!



Happy Holidays!

Doug, Lisa, Brad & Lucas Tennyson

If you would like to make a donation to Sammy's Children's Hospital Toy Drive via Alexandra's PHATE, please visit our website at http://www.alexandrasphate.org/donate_phate.html.  Please designate your donation as being for the toy drive, so that we can distribute the funds, accordingly.

Gary Tate Jr.
President and Founder
Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E.
Pittsburgh, PA
412-860-4557
http://www.blogger.com/gary@alexandrasphate.org

New Additions to Alexandra's PHATE's STARband Journey Blogs!

Hi Alexandra's PHATE friends and fans.  We have two new family Journey Blogs starting this week.

1.  Aiden's STARband Journey
2.  Mirick's STARband Journey

These new blogs will allow you to follow these family's and their children's paths in dealing with Plagiocephaly, Torticollis and Helmet Remolding Therapy.

If there are any other families interested in participating in the blogging program.  We would be appreciative in you allowing us to follow your journey.  Your input will assist families to come with some of the obstacles and issues during the treatment process.  Please feel free to contact us by filling out the "contact me" form below.  You can also visit our website at www.alexandrasphate.org

Best Regards,

Gary Tate Jr.
President and Founder

Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E.

Pittsburgh, PA

412-860-4557

Gary@alexandrasphate.org