What kind of doctor treats craniosynostosis?
Craniosynostosis requires evaluation by specialists, such as a pediatric neurosurgeon or a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Diagnosis of craniosynostosis may include: Physical exam. Your doctor will feel your baby’s head for abnormalities such as suture ridges, and look for facial deformities.
Does craniosynostosis get worse with age?
The most common sign of craniosynostosis is an oddly shaped head at birth or by the time the child is a few months old. The deformity usually gets even more noticeable over time. The head shape depends on the location of the fused skull suture.
What are the long term effects of craniosynostosis?
The link between cranial deformity and “functional” disability is not obvious in single-suture sagittal craniosynostosis. Physicians have anecdotally reported that children with simple craniosynostosis often seem to have a higher proportion of learning disabilities and cognitive problems than their nonafflicted peers.
Can craniosynostosis cause retardation?
Conclusions: Most children with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis obtain developmental quotients within the normal range in infancy. Rates of retardation may increase relative to normative expectations as children mature. A high rate of learning disorders was identified.
Is craniosynostosis fatal?
If left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to serious complications, including: Head deformity, possibly severe and permanent. Increased pressure on the brain. Seizures.
What happens if craniosynostosis is not correct?
Sometimes, if the condition is not treated, the build-up of pressure in the baby’s skull can lead to problems, such as blindness, seizures, or brain damage.
Is craniosynostosis curable?
The main treatment for craniosynostosis is surgery, usually within the first year of life. Surgery can help the skull to develop normally and allow space for the brain to develop. Without surgery, the shape may become more unusual, and this can lead to complications.
What is strip craniectomy?
An endoscopic strip craniectomy is a surgery to remove a fused suture in babies with some types of craniosynostosis. After surgery, your baby wears a helmet for several months. The helmet molds their head to a shape that allows for normal brain growth.
What is the prognosis of craniosynostosis?
The best possible outcome of craniosynostosis depends on early detection and treatment, since some forms of craniosynostosis can affect your child’s brain and development. A child with craniosynostosis requires frequent medical evaluations to ensure that the skull, facial bones and brain are developing normally.
How to diagnose craniosynostosis?
Commonly, craniosynostosis is present at birth, but it is not always diagnosed when mild. Usually it is diagnosed as a cranial deformity in the first few months of life. The diagnosis relies on physical examination and radiographic studies, including plain radiography and computed tomography (CT).