WHAT IS CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS
The normal skull consists of several plates of
bone that are separated by sutures. The sutures (fibrous joints) are
found between the bony plates in the head. As the infant grows and
develops, the sutures close, forming a solid piece of bone, called the
skull.
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the sutures
close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth.
Premature closure of the sutures may also cause the pressure inside of
the head to increase and the skull or facial bones to change from a
normal, symmetrical appearance.
What are the symptoms?
The most common sign of
craniosynostosis is an oddly shaped head at birth or by the time the child is a
few months old. For example, the skull may become long and narrow. Or it may be
very flat and broad in front or back or on the sides. This oddly shaped head may be the only sign
of craniosynostosis.
In rare cases, the deformity causes pressure to
build up on the baby’s brain. This can cause brain damage and can make the baby
develop more slowly than other children.
There are various types of Craniosynostosis.
(Please click the type of Craniosynostosis that you would like to learn more about)
(this type is NOT Craniosynostosis)
