Craniosynostosis is serious enough that if left untreated it can lead to serious complications which include increased pressure on the brain and possible severe and permanent head deformity.
The age at which craniosynostosis is diagnosed is when the baby is first born although sometimes craniosynostosis is diagnosed by age 5 months to 10 months or even in older children.
Craniosynostosis also sometimes runs in families although it most often occurs randomly.
Craniosynotosis is sometimes a disability when it prevents the child from working eventually as an adult and some children with craniosynostosis have intellectual disabilities and developmental delays because the craniosynostosis has kept the baby's brain from growing and working as normally as it should or because the baby has a genetic syndrome which caused both the craniosynostosis and problems with how their brain works.
Craniosynostosis is a type of birth defect in where the bones in a baby's skull join together too early.
This condition happens before the baby's brain is fully formed and as the baby's brain grows, the baby's skull can become more misshapen.
In infants with the craniosynostosis condition, the most common signs are changes in the shape of the head and face.
One side of your child's face may look markedly different from the other side.
Craniosynostosis can occur by itself or as a part of certain craniofacial (head and facial) syndromes.
If left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to serious complications, including: Head deformity, possibly severe and permanent and increased pressure on the brain.
Craniosynostosis affects about one in every 2,500 children.
Craniosynostosis is almost always noticeable at birth, although mild conditions may not be found until later in infancy or childhood.
The cause of craniosynostosis is unknown, although it's thought to be a combination of genes and environmental factors.
Syndromic craniosynostosis is caused by certain genetic syndromes, such as Apert syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome or Crouzon syndrome, which can affect a baby's skull development.
There is no known correlation between Down syndrome and craniosynostosis.
The authors report 2 infants with trisomy 21 and right unilateral coronal craniosynostosis.
Both patients were clinically asymptomatic but displayed characteristic craniofacial features associated with each disorder.
Mild cases of craniosynostosis may not need treatment.
Your baby's or child's doctor may recommend a specially molded helmet to help reshape your baby's head if the cranial sutures are open and the head is misshapen.
Many types of craniosynostosis require surgery.
The surgical procedure is meant to relieve pressure on the brain, correct the craniosynostosis, and allow the brain to grow properly.
When needed, a surgical procedure is usually performed during the first year of life.
Craniosynostosis is a relatively common birth defect that does not always have a known cause.
The condition may be associated with a genetic disorder, environmental risk factor, or a combination of the two.
Maternal risk factors for craniosynostosis include thyroid disease, smoking, and the use of fertility treatments.
Around 25 per cent of all cases of craniosynostosis are thought to have a genetic basis.
In many cases, a mutation (change) of a specific gene leads to a child developing craniosynostosis in the womb.
Research has identified two new genetic mutations on the genes called ERF and TCF12.
Although children with single-suture sagittal craniosynostosis fall within the normal range for intelligence, there is a significantly higher incidence of learning disabilities in this group than in the general population.
Elevated intracranial pressure resulting from abnormal cranial shape or volume can lead to papilledema and, ultimately, optic atrophy and vision loss.
The surgical repair of craniosynostosis causes significant pain for the child.
A key focus of craniosynostosis repair is developing effective strategies to manage perioperative pain.