A DUNDEE mother’s fight for more advice for new parents about a skull deformity in babies has been backed by the Scottish Executive.

The Executive is developing a leaflet with NHS Scotland to raise awareness of plagiocephaly, where the back or one side of a baby’s head is mis-shapen.

Mandy Muir (36), whose daughter Annabel suffers from plagiocephaly, set up a support group.

She called on the Executive to ensure skull abnormalities in babies are recognised and treated.

She said, “This is a huge step forward and is due to the 15,000-strong petition we handed to MSPs.

“We asked for all parents to be advised on causes, prevention and treatments of plagiocephaly.

“Whilst we have always advocated the back to sleep campaign (named for its recommendation to place healthy babies on their backs to reduce the risk of cot death) it is also extremely important parents are made aware of plagiocephaly.

“Plagiocephaly can potentially affect 50% of all babies under the age of one if correct advice is not given.”

The group is also calling for funding for a medical trial of cranial remoulding treatment (helmet therapy), which coaxes the head back into a rounder shape.

However, the NHS says it is a cosmetic issue and does not warrant treatment.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said, “We recognise that there is a need to raise awareness of the condition.”

The leaflet will advise on “tummy time” and repositioning, and tell parents where to go for more help.

It is expected to be published in the autumn.

However, she stressed “that in most cases of simple postural plagiocephaly, the majority of children’s heads will go back to a normal shape by the age of five without treatment.”

She continued, “There is no scientific evidence to support the use of helmets over less intrusive methods of prevention and treatment such as supervised ‘tummy time’ and repositioning.”