What is craniosynostosis?

The new-born baby's skull has several bones fitting one after another. Usually, a newborn has some spaces called sutures between the skull bones. The sutures allow the skull size to grow to accommodate the growing baby's brain. If the bones of the skull get fused together either at birth or fuse early before the expected age, it is known as craniosynostosis.

The skull's sutures unite around the brain around about two years of age. When a child has craniosynostosis, one or more of these sutures prematurely stiffen and seal before the child is two years old.

What are the types of craniosynostosis?

The location of the sutures determines the type of craniosynostosis:

• Sagittal craniosynostosis affects the suture on the top of the head. Infants with sagittal craniosynostosis frequently show scaphocephaly or a long, narrow head.
• Coronal craniosynostosis impacts one of the coronal sutures, which connect the top of the head to both ears. This type of baby may have a large head and a flat forehead.
• In lambdoid craniosynostosis, the suture along the back of the head is affected. Plagiocephaly, or a flat back of the head, is common in infants of this kind.
• Metopic craniosynostosis affects the suture that runs from the top of the nose to the top of the forehead. As a result, babies may have a triangular head, with the ridge narrow at the midline of the forehead.

What are the symptoms and signs of craniosynostosis?

The principal sign of craniosynostosis is an irregularly shaped skull. If babies are operated early, they may not experience other signs of craniosynostosis.

Other signs of craniosynostosis include:

• A baby's head lacks a fontanelle (soft spot) where the skull hasn't closed.
• A small, hard ridge of bone may be palpable on the baby's head.
• Their face appears uneven or not symmetrical.

What causes craniosynostosis?

Most infants have no one known cause for craniosynostosis. Sometimes, the condition results from a sporadic (random) gene mutation (change), and sometimes it has a family tendency. Prematurity is a predisposing factor to craniosynostosis.

In other infants, certain pregnancy factors raise the risk for the development of craniosynostosis. They include:

• Medications used for fertility such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid®).
• Thyroid disease in the mother (thyroid disease during pregnancy).

What are the complications of craniosynostosis?

If untreated, craniosynostosis or the secondary intracranial pressure can cause the following:

• Delays in development.
• Seizures.
• Disorders of vision or eye movement, including strabismus (crossed eyes) or other conditions.
• Breathing problems, particularly if they are linked to other facial bone deformities.
• Persistent abnormalities of the head or face.

Children with facial asymmetry or abnormalities may have poor body image and low self-esteem. Psychotherapy, counseling, and support groups can assist your child in creating a healthy self-image.

How is cranial synostosis diagnosed?

Physicians can commonly identify craniosynostosis by feeling for soft patches on your baby's head, looking for ridges indicating fused skull sutures, and measuring the head circumference.

If your baby's head does not grow as predicted, a doctor will look for craniosynostosis. Remember that a small head might have various causes. To confirm this diagnosis, your infant may need an X-ray or CT scan of his or her head.

How is craniosynostosis treated?

The treatment for craniosynostosis differs according to the degree and symptoms of the new-born. Treatment can include:

• Helmet therapy: Infants with mild craniosynostosis may wear a specialised medical helmet, which gradually reshapes the head over time.
• Surgery: Most babies require skull reconstruction surgery to reposition the skull, reduce increased intracranial pressure, and allow the baby's brain space to grow and develop normally. The surgeon will select when to perform surgery based on the severity of the disease and symptoms. Babies may need surgery in the first year of life.

Your child will require other support therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, to return to normal functioning and activities.

How can I prevent craniosynostosis?

There is no sure way to prevent craniosynostosis. Prenatal genetic testing may indicate some gene mutations that may lead to craniosynostosis. A genetic counselor can guide you on genetic risk and potential treatments if your baby is born with craniosynostosis.

You can improve your chances of having a healthy baby by:

• Schedule regular prenatal care visits.
• Consult your doctor about potential risk factors, such as fertility medicines or thyroid conditions.
• Prenatal vitamins and other supplements should be taken as advised.

What is the prognosis for babies with craniosynostosis?

The majority of babies who undergo timely craniosynostosis treatment have healthy lives. Early treatment can help to reduce developmental issues caused by head pressure.

What else should I ask my child's doctor?

You might want to ask your child's doctor:

• What is the most likely cause of the craniosynostosis?
• What type of craniosynostosis treatment do you recommend?
• What are the risks of surgery?
• What will happen if we choose not to have surgery?
• Does my baby's head shape affect brain functioning?
• What are the chances that I'll have another child with this condition?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for craniosynostosis?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country, with the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in craniosynostosis. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To Book an appointment for craniosynostosis

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

Request a Call Back