Craniosynostosis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skull of a newborn

Craniosynostosis

Alternative Names:

Premature closure of sutures
Treatment:

The main treatment for craniosynostosis is surgery during infancy. The surgical goal is to relieve pressure, assure that the skull has the capacity to accommodate the brain's growth, and improve the appearance of the child's head.

Expectations (prognosis):

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In the sporadic from of craniosynostosis, the results after surgery are generally good. Craniosynostosis that occurs along with inherited syndromes usually has less optimal outcomes, because these syndromes are associated with seizures, developmental delay, and blindness.

Overall, the outlook for craniosynostosis varies depending on whether single or multiple skull sutures are involved and the presence of other abnormalities. The outlook is better for those with a single suture involved and no other abnormalities.

Complications:

Craniosynostosis results in head deformity that can be severe and permanent if it is not corrected. Raised intracranial pressure, seizures, and developmental delay can occur.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you think your child's head has an unusual shape. A referral to a pediatric neurologist or neurosurgeon should follow.