Spelcast 1
Your child may require a spica cast to correct developmental dysplasia of the hip, hip instability due to Down syndrome, or a femur or pelvic fracture from a traumatic injury. The Spelcast I is a car seat that may be used rear-facing and semi-reclined, for infants 10 to 20 pounds casted weight and up to 26 inches in length. It can also be used forward-facing, upright or semi-reclined, for children 20 to 40 pounds casted weight and up to 40 inches in height. The Spelcast I is sometimes available as a loaner from the hospital where surgery is performed. It is no longer manufactured by Snug Seat, but was replaced by Britax in March 2006 with the Hippo.

Hippo
The Hippo is a car seat that may be used rear-facing, semi-reclined, for a child who is between 5 and 33* pounds or forward-facing for a child who is over one year of age and between 20 and 65* pounds and a maximum of 49 inches in height. The Hippo must be installed forward-facing in the upright position if the child’s weight is between 34 and 65* pounds, but may be installed forward-facing in the semi-reclined position for children less than 33* pounds. This seat must be tethered if the child is 40 pounds or more. It cannot be tethered in the rear-facing position like other Britax products. The Hippo is available at www.snugseat.com, and www.adaptivemall.com.
(*Upper weight limit refers to casted weight)

E-Z-ON vest
Another option for children in spica casts is called the modified E-Z-ON vest. This vest is for children aged 2 to 12 and weighing from 20 to 100 pounds. The 101M2 fits children better who are 5-12 years old, 65-100 pounds. The M203-XS fits snugger on children 2-5 years of age, 20-65 pounds. When using the modified E-Z-ON vest, your child must travel lying down in the rear seat of the vehicle. See www.ezonpro.com for referral to a distributor in your area.

Hospitals or other institutions may purchase the Hippo and the modified E-Z-ON vest from Prevention Alternatives: 1-(517) 927-7731.

If your child’s surgery is scheduled in advance, you’ll have time to arrange transportation ahead of time. Call your orthopedic surgeon or the surgeon’s staff to set up safe transport home.

The surgeon is usually able to tell you the approximate size of the cast, that is, how wide it will be, and how much it will bend at the knees. Children in spica casts often fit in a conventional car seat.

Nania Airway
One option, for example, may be the Nania Airway; it can semi-recline and has low sides. This car seat unfortunately will be discontinued by the end of 2006. Any convertible seat with lower sides and a wider front may work. The hospital should have a variety of seats to try. You may want to look at the Britax Regent (formerly called the Husky), Roundabout, Marathon and Boulevard (formerly called the Wizard), the Dorel Alpha-Omega, the Combi Victoria or the Combi Avatar. Sometimes a small baby may fit into a car bed, depending on how their cast is made.