Video: Larne mother fundraises to give son a ‘head start’

The mother of a baby suffering from a head condition is fundraising to support families affected by the condition after being denied NHS funding.
Wyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AMWyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AM
Wyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AM

Kerry Magee’s son Wyatt, now six months old, was born with plagiocephaly, colloquially known as “flat head syndrome.”

The condition occurs when the head is flattened on one side, causing it to look asymmetrical.

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Kerry is now fundraising to buy a corrective helmet costing almost £2,000 for her son after the treatment was unavailable on the NHS.

Wyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AMWyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AM
Wyatt Magee, who is six months old and suffers from Plagiocephaly is pictured with his Mum, Kerry INLT 03-201-AM

She told the Times: “Wyatt’s condition is caused by torticollis, or a tight muscle on the left hand side of his neck. His range of movement on that side is restricted. It has also moved his ear forward.

He is having physio, which has helped a bit.”

Kerry says she was advised by the NHS that her son could grow out of the condition, and there was “no evidence” a helmet would work.

However, after researching the benefits of helmets she was impressed with the results experienced by other families.

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She continued: “The helmets relieve pressure on the flat side of the skull so it can grow out. There are clinics in Glasgow and London which would scan his head before fitting it. There is evidence from other mums who have before and after scans to show it works.”

Kerry believes that NHS funding should be available for the helmets. She commented: “It costs £1,950 not taking into account travel expenses. I’m calling for financial help for parents in this situation.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said: “There is no current evidence in medical literature to support the use of helmets for children with plagiocephaly. This treatment is therefore not available on the NHS.”

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