A MOTHER says more awareness needs raising of a condition which affects half of babies born in the UK, but is not covered by the NHS.

Shantelle Hirst said she had never heard of plagiocephaly - more commonly known as flat head syndrome - until her son, Toby, was diagnosed with it when he was four-months-old.

The condition is characterised by abnormal flattening to the head and can be noticeable from birth or in the first few months of a baby’s life.

Mrs Hirst, and her 27-year-old husband, John Barnsather, a member of the Royal Air Force, were told the NHS would not pay for treatment and said it was considered cosmetic.

The couple, of Crowtrees Lane, Rastrick, is now picking up the bill for corrective treatment.

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Mrs Hirst, 28, said: "The treatment will cost us £2000 and Toby needs to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day until his second birthday, we didn’t notice anything was wrong until he was four months and I thought his head was a bit bumpy."

The family travels to The Steeper Clinic, Leeds, which specialises in plagiocephaly, for regular check-ups.

"I had never heard of the condition before and I was shocked I have two other children aged 11 and 2 and It’s something I had no information about," said Mrs Hirst.

"We have had to pay for the treatment privately and the costs of travelling are adding up too."

Toby’s treatment was diagnosed as a severe case and started wearing his helmet seven weeks ago and is responding well.

"It was very difficult at first especially with sleeping as we weren't used to it and neither was Toby, it was very uncomfortable for him.

"He’s doing really well and he has shown great signs in his development.

"Toby was two weeks premature and wasn’t crawling or anything but now he is."

Mrs Hirst said if the couple had known about the condition they may have done things differently and said new parents should be informed.

"As a parent you can go to antenatal cases and prenatal classes, you get given so many leaflets about cot death and other serious issues, I think new mums should be given a leaflet and information about plagiocephaly," said Mrs Hirst.

Steeper Clinic is holding an awareness day on Friday, May 20, from 10am, to help families learn more about plagiocephaly and share treatment advice.

E-mail: enquiries@steeperclinic.com for more information about the condition and event.