![]() ![]() Treatment Options for CraniosynostosisĮach case of craniosynostosis differs in severity. A CT scan or skull X-ray can confirm the diagnosis if craniosynostosis is suspected. Often, a flat portion of the skull is a common condition called benign positional plagiocephaly, which will either correct itself over time or can be corrected non-surgically with a specially designed helmet. When assessing a child for craniosynostosis, our pediatric craniofacial specialists first do a physical exam, checking to see if the typical soft spots on a baby’s skull are absent or if there are clear ridges on the head. “What they’re going to be doing is things like rubbing their head against your shoulder for an extended time and being subdued or lethargic.”Īs children get older, symptoms can include: “It’s hard for a kid less than two or three years old and is non-verbal to say, ‘Mom, there’s pressure on my head.’ They’re not going to complain of headaches,” Mehta said. Waking in the night crying or screaming, often called “night terrors”.In very young children, other signs include: A child may have a ridge on their skull or a broad, short head. Depending on which gaps have fused too early, a child’s head may look flattened on the back side, long and narrow, or triangular. The most obvious sign of craniosynostosis are a misshapen head. For kids born with craniosynostosis, some of those gaps fuse too early, putting pressure on the brain and preventing it from growing. Over time, the sutures join together and become one solid bone to protect the brain. Having gaps between the skull bones allows a child’s brain to grow. The spaces or gaps between those bones are called sutures. The skull is made up of five bones that fuse as a child gets older. We are very welcoming to all sorts of consults because we understand that it’s something unknown and rare.” “If you’re worried about a kid’s head shape, we’re always happy to see them in our clinic. Sagar Mehta, M.D., the director of the craniofacial team at Arkansas Children’s and an assistant professor of Surgery in the Division of Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said his team is always willing to answer questions from parents concerned about their child’s skull. If not treated, the condition can cause developmental delays, persistent head pain, eye problems or developmental issues. In approximately 1 in 2,500 births in the U.S., the cause is craniosynostosis. Sometimes gentle pressure from a helmet designed by pediatric specialists can fix the issue. Sometimes the unevenness corrects itself during the normal growth process. Their skull bones are soft and normally won’t join to form a solid skull until several months after birth. It’s common for a newborn or infant to have an uneven or misshapen head.
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