Who is this page for?
It is for parents living outside Türkiye who have noticed a flat spot or an unusual head shape in their baby (plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, dolichocephaly or scaphocephaly) and are considering an assessment in Istanbul.
- Babies aged roughly 3 to 18 months: the age range in which cranial helmet therapy may be considered, based on your doctor's recommendation and assessment.
- Families who would like to share photos and questions with us before planning a trip.
- Babies who have had craniosynostosis surgery and whose neurosurgeon has recommended a post-operative helmet.
If craniosynostosis (early fusion of a skull suture) is suspected and your baby has not had surgery, the first step is an examination by a pediatric neurosurgeon: a helmet alone cannot open a fused suture.
How the process works, step by step
The steps below follow the process described on our appointment page. Durations are typical and can differ from baby to baby.
Contact us on WhatsApp first
Before you travel
Send us a short message with your baby's age, your questions and, if you wish, photos of the head shape. We can then help you plan the pre-assessment visit. You can write in English, Arabic or Turkish.
Pre-assessment in Istanbul
20–30 minutes
A specialist orthotist examines your baby's head shape by hand, measures it with a tape measure and gives you an initial opinion on the spot, including a clear answer on whether a helmet is needed.
Radiation-free 3D scan
About 20 minutes, painless
If needed, an optical 3D scanner creates a millimetre-accurate digital model of your baby's head without any radiation. The CVAI and CI values appear on screen straight away.
Custom helmet production and fitting
1–2 weeks
The helmet is designed from the scan data and made from CE Class I certified, hypoallergenic materials within 1–2 weeks. It is then fitted and adjusted, and you are shown how to use and look after it. The first days (usually 3–5) are an adaptation period.
Follow-up check-ups
Monthly, 3 months to 1 year
Treatment includes monthly clinic check-ups with helmet adjustments, and progress is measured with a 3D scan. Treatment usually lasts from 3 months to 1 year depending on the condition, so please agree the follow-up visits with our team before you travel.
Follow-ups closer to home?
Cranioplus also has service points outside Türkiye, in Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. If one of them is closer to you, ask us on WhatsApp whether your baby's follow-up could be arranged there.
See all service pointsWhat to prepare for your visit
A few suggestions to make your first visit easier:
- Your baby's passport and your own travel documents.
- Any medical reports or records about your baby's head shape, such as notes from your pediatrician or neurosurgeon, and imaging reports if any were done.
- If your baby has had surgery, the surgical report and your surgeon's recommendation about a helmet.
- Photos of the head taken from above, from the side and from the front while your baby is held upright (wet hair or a thin cap makes the shape easier to see).
- A list of your questions, so nothing is forgotten during the appointment.
Photos help us prepare, but they do not replace an in-person examination and measurement.
The clinic in Istanbul
Licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health; helmets are produced with CE Class I and ISO 13485 certification.
- Address
- Halide Edip Adıvar, Boru Çiçeği Sokağı 19-A D:B, 34382 Şişli/İstanbul
- Opening hours
- Monday – Saturday, 09:00–18:00
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a referral to come to Cranioplus?
You can request a pre-assessment directly through WhatsApp or our appointment form. Cranial helmet therapy itself requires your doctor's recommendation and assessment, so please bring any reports you already have. If craniosynostosis is suspected, an examination by a pediatric neurosurgeon comes first.
Which ages is helmet therapy for?
Cranial helmet therapy may be considered for babies aged 3 to 18 months with a skull shape deformity, based on your doctor's recommendation and assessment. If you have concerns, we recommend getting in touch early rather than waiting.
How many visits to Istanbul will we need?
Plan for at least a pre-assessment visit (with a 3D scan if needed) and a fitting visit once the helmet is ready, which takes 1–2 weeks to produce. During treatment there are monthly check-ups, and treatment usually lasts from 3 months to 1 year depending on the condition. The exact plan is set individually for each baby.
Can we start with WhatsApp before travelling?
Yes. You can send us your questions and photos of your baby's head shape on WhatsApp before planning your trip. Photos cannot replace an examination, but they help us discuss the next steps with you.
Does the 3D scan use radiation?
No. The 3D scan is optical and radiation-free. It takes about 20 minutes, is painless and gives the CVAI and CI values used to plan and track treatment.
How many hours a day is the helmet worn?
After a short adaptation period, the helmet is usually worn around 23 hours a day, including during sleep. Your doctor or our technical team sets the wearing schedule for your baby.
The information on this page is general guidance and does not replace a medical examination or diagnosis. Treatment decisions are made individually after your baby has been assessed.
