A newborn baby’s skull consists of several bones that fit together. Usually, newborns have spaces called sutures between their skull bones. The sutures let the skull size grow to accommodate the baby’s growing brain. When the bones of the skull are fused together either at birth or fuse too soon, the condition is called craniosynostosis.
The sutures of the skull fuse around the brain at around age 2 years. When a baby has craniosynostosis, one or more of these sutures hardens too early and closes before the baby reaches age 2.
What causes craniosynostosis?
In most babies, experts can't identify one known cause of craniosynostosis. Sometimes, craniosynostosis occurs because of a sporadic (random) gene mutation (change), or it may run in families. Prematurity is a risk factor for craniosynostosis.
In other cases, some factors during pregnancy increase a baby’s risk for developing craniosynostosis. These include:
Fertility medications such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid®).
Maternal thyroid disease (developing thyroid disease while pregnant).
What are the symptoms and signs of craniosynostosis?
The primary symptom of craniosynostosis is a misshapen skull. If babies receive early surgical treatment, they may not experience any other craniosynostosis symptoms.
Other signs of craniosynostosis include:
No fontanelle (soft spot) on a baby’s head where the skull hasn’t closed.
Small, hard ridge of bone that can be felt on the baby’s head.
Face that looks uneven or asymmetrical.
What are the complications of craniosynostosis?
If left untreated, craniosynostosis or the resulting intracranial pressure can lead to:
Breathing difficulties, especially if associated with other bony abnormalities of the face.
Persistent head or facial deformities.
Some children may struggle with self-esteem and body image if they have facial asymmetry or deformities. Support groups, counseling and psychotherapy can help your child foster a positive self-image.
How is craniosynostosis treated?
Craniosynostosis treatment varies depending on the severity and the baby’s symptoms. Treatment may include:
Helmet therapy: Babies with mild craniosynostosis may wear a special medical helmet. This helmet gently reshapes the skull over time.
Surgery: Many babies need head surgery to reshape the skull, relieve increased intracranial pressure and allow the baby’s brain room to grow and develop properly. The surgeon determines the timing of the surgery depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms associated. Babies might need surgery within the first year of life.
Your child may need other supportive therapies such a physical, occupational and speech therapies to support return to normal functioning and activities.
How is craniosynostosis diagnosed?
Healthcare providers usually can diagnose craniosynostosis by feeling for soft spots on your baby’s head, feeling for ridges that signify fused skull sutures and measuring the head circumference.
If the size of your baby’s head is not growing as expected, the healthcare provider will check for craniosynostosis. It’s important to remember that a small-sized head can be due to several other reasons as well. Your baby may need an X-ray or CT scan of the head to confirm this diagnosis.