LYING babies on their back as a protection against cot deaths has led to a new generation of “flat-headed” infants in Ireland, according to doctors. One consultant is now treating six new cases of plagiocephaly a week.

“It’s a consequence of the cot death campaign that people have stuck to the advice,” said John Murphy, a consultant paediatrician at Holles Street. “I’m seeing half a dozen babies every week. The head becomes flat from lying on the back, but it’s a temporary thing that will correct itself.”

The claim follows a report last week that doctors in America had discovered a breakthrough in the underlying cause of cot death.

They found that the victims had a brain abnormality that prevented the detection of insufficient levels of oxygen in the body. They said babies with this condition could smother in their bedclothes, especially if sleeping on their front.

Physiotherapy, including simple exercises, is recommended as the best way to aid a full recovery for babies with plagiocephaly.

Despite this, some parents are seeking alternative treatments such as helmet therapy to speed the healing process. Helmets worn for several months can remould the shape of a baby’s head. They cost up to €3,000.

“We have noticed an increased demand from parents for referrals for a helmet for their child,” said Michael Earley, a consultant plastic surgeon at Temple Street children’s hospital. He believes there is no evidence that they work.

“At the moment there is no good scientific evidence to show that it makes that much of a difference. But it’s difficult when you have parents saying that it has,” he said.

“Personally, I feel it’s better for a lot of people to follow the route that once a child is toddling, the skull will slowly straighten itself out naturally. I would rather have a live child with a flat head that is only temporary.”

Technology in Motion, a British clinic offering helmet therapy, has reported a growing interest from Irish parents.

Steve Mottram, a clinical specialist orthotist, said: “We are a fully regulated body and we’ve seen more than 1,000 babies. Paediatricians are quite dismissive of the condition, but we have successfully treated babies by using the helmets, which allow the head to grow and remould and improve its shape.”

However, doctors are concerned that the therapy could upset a baby’s body temperature. “That is a worry,” said Murphy. “Most babies control heat loss through their heads.”

One Dublin father, whose five-month-old daughter begins helmet therapy this week, said he was not satisfied that her head would heal naturally. “This is not something we just decided to do,” he said. “We researched it carefully and agreed it was the best option.

“We were worried about our daughter from when she was only a couple of months old. We were told by doctors she could make a good recovery.

“For us, this response was not certain enough so we looked at the alternatives and two or three months of treatment is worth it if the problem is fixed.”

In June the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists in Britain, with the support of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, launched an awareness campaign encouraging parents to introduce “tummy time”, to help babies’ growth and development.

Noreen Garvey, a chartered physiotherapist at Temple Street, said: “We would see children that are referred from GPs and paediatricians who have this kind of flattening on their head.

“We give them stretches and different exercises and the head begins to recover. Some parents think it’s unsafe to put babies on their tummies, but once they are awake and the child is supervised, there is no problem.”

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