Member Article

How this Newcastle company is attempting to cure Flat Head Syndrome among babies

Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes here in the North East. From understanding and manipulating corners of big data to making our lives easier on a day to day basis, entrepreneurial tinkering can be found across the region in all sectors.

New ways of thinking have been especially prevalent in the health and life sciences markets this year and while 2018 may only be a few weeks away, it seems we’re not done yet.

Take Newcastle-based MIMOs UK for instance. The business has adopted a mission to prevent and cure Flat Head Syndrome in babies after the nephew of one of its directors developed the distressing condition.

The affliction, which affects over 47% of babies, occurs when part of a baby’s head becomes flattened due to continued pressure on one spot.

Baby Leo, the nephew of MIMIOs director Dr. Hock Soon, developed Flat Head Syndrome when he was four months old.

Responding to this Dr Soon and the business have crafted a special pillow designed to help babies’ skulls develop normally.

Dr. Hock Soon, said: “When Leo developed Flat Head Syndrome there wasn’t any clear advice or guidelines available on prevention and treatment. Most of the information available online was mainly from the orthotic clinic that provide the helmet treatment.”

The condition is particularly common in premature babies, due to their skulls being significantly softer than those of a full-term newborn, and the increased time spent on their back due to their fragility and increased medical needs.

While there are steps parents can take at home to prevent Flat Head Syndrome, such as tummy time and repositioning, for severe cases, specialist helmets maybe required. These devices can cause distress and discomfort to the child and are very expensive.

Dr. Hock Soon continued: “Baby Leo was had his helmet custom made in the USA after visiting the local private orthotic clinic, it cost around $4000.

“I could tell that the helmet Leo had to wear wasn’t comfortable for him and he was getting very distressed and anxious. It was then that I started researching natural prevention and treatment methods for Flat Head Syndrome to see if there was an alternative.”

As a baby’s skull is very soft and malleable, early intervention can reverse the condition and avoid the need for the helmet treatment. Parents are advised to do supervised tummy time while the baby is awake, repositioning and removing the pressure from the flattened spot as much as possible.

Dr Soon continued: “The MIMOs Pillow was developed after Leo had his treatment, so while he didn’t get to use it my own baby and younger nephews and nieces all had their own pillows for prevention of Flat Head Syndrome.”

The MIMOs Pillow has been specially designed by doctors, neurosurgeons and physiologists to prevent and correct cranial deformities during a baby’s first few months, by increasing the area of contact beneath the head to relieve four times the amount of pressure.

Dr. Hock Soon, who worked as a research associate in the Institute of Neuroscience at Newcastle University, after completing his PhD in Microelectronics Engineering, received £300 startup funding from the university to bring the MIMOs Pillow to the UK in 2012.

He commented: “The MIMOs Pillow is a comfortable and unrestrictive alternative to helmets, it allows the head to grow normally and round out to its natural shape. It is hypoallergenic and completely safe for direct contact with babies’ skin.

“Because the pillow is made from a 3D Mesh polyester, the structure is made up of 94% air, which makes it completely breathable and can also reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).”

Dr. Soon added: “Together with above advice and the use of MIMOS pillow many parents had reported back to us that they have seen great improvement within two weeks to three months.”

Sian McKeown, whose baby suffered from the condition, revealed: “My daughter developed a flat head and once I started using the MIMOs Pillow I saw a difference within two weeks and after two months her head was normal.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →