Written question asked by John McDonnell (Labour) on Thursday, 8 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Plagiocephaly

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she expects guidelines to be issued to assist the early detection of positional plagiocephaly by health professionals;

Answer: The child health development programme, which provides for health and development checks for young children, is informed by professional guidelines, ““principally Health for all children”” edited by Professor David Hall and Dr. David Elliman. This includes guidance on detecting abnormalities in skull development.Positional plagiocephaly is caused by allowing consistent pressure to be applied to one part of a baby's skull over a period of time. This is commonly remedied by enabling babies to experience a range of positions rather than remaining in one position. The Department's guidance to parents on the first five years of their child's life ““Birth to five””, and on reducing the risk of cot death, advocates this procedure.Funding associated with avoiding positional plagiocephaly is not separable from the overall funding of child health in the community.

Secondary information