MENUMENU
- Craniosynostosis
-
-
- What is Craniosynostosis
- Syndromic Craniosynostosis
-
-
- More
-
- Who we are
- Photos & Videos
The Craniofacial Team at WVU Medicine Children’s is an interdisciplinary team whose mission is the distribution and delivery of care to families of children with craniofacial anomalies.
The team is comprised of specialists focused on the care of families with children born with craniofacial anomalies. The group includes surgeons, dentists/orthodontists, geneticists, speech therapists, audiologists, developmental pediatricians, ophthalmologists, behavioral therapists, and social workers. The multidisciplinary team allows your child to benefit from the consolidated knowledge of many specialists from different fields in one place and in one visit.
Surgery and proper care normally result in improved appearance and healthier, happier lives for children. Equally as important is ongoing care for related problems that may involve development and vision. A number of specialists, including plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, developmental pediatricians, and ophthalmologists are essential for close monitoring throughout early infancy and childhood.
Close communication with your primary pediatrician or family doctor is mandatory for continuity of care of your child. The purpose of this team approach is to coordinate the best medical care for your child and to ensure that you are involved as an active partner in the treatment process.
Conditions we treat include but are not limited to:
For cases where the head is misshapen significantly, the treatment usually involves surgery. There are three reasons for surgery:
There are two types of surgery to treat craniosynostosis. Both are involved and carry risks with each procedure.
Timing of surgery depends upon which suture is involved and the baby’s overall health and development. In general, most surgical interventions are done during the first year of life, while the skull bones are relatively soft and moldable. Most parents wish to have surgery performed as soon as the diagnosis is made. Surgery is safer and most successful when done at the proper age. Your surgeons will discuss optimal timing for your baby’s procedure. Most children need only one surgery.