It affects the sagittal suture, which is at the top of the skull. Am J Med Genet Part A. How the surgery is done depends on which sutures are affected and what condition caused the craniosynostosis. Rasmussen SA, Yazdy MM, Carmichael SL, Jamieson DJ, Canfield MA, Honein MA. Babies with very mild craniosynostosis might not need surgery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. About 80 to 90 percent of craniosynostosis cases involve only one suture. Joints called cranial sutures, made of strong, fibrous tissue, hold these bones together. You may wonder if these baby farts are normal, what…, When your little one is uncomfortable with what seems like gas, you may want to try baby massage. Craniosynostosis usually is diagnosed soon after a baby is born. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Many of the problems a baby can have depend on: 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. Many causes of suture separation are life threatening, and prompt treatment is important for a successful outcome. Sometimes, though, more than one suture closes too early. All rights reserved. An eye exam may be conducted to determine whether your child has any sight problems and to look at the optic nerve. Use of clomiphene citrate and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2005. This can limit or slow the growth of the baby’s brain. Keeping the bones flexible gives the baby’s brain room to grow. They may sometimes use a computed tomography (CT) scan. The types of craniosynostosis depend on what sutures join together early. Surgery can prevent complications from craniosynostosis. This happens before the baby’s brain is fully formed. coronal suture - extends from ear to ear. Take a Look at Your Daily Routine, Breast Milk Antibodies and Their Magic Benefits, Feeding Meat to Your Baby: What You Should Know, Incubators for Babies: Why They’re Used and How They Work, an abnormal or missing fontanel (soft spot) on the top of the baby’s head, a raised, hard edge along the suture that has closed too early. Breast milk antibodies are the part of your milk that provide your baby with a powerful immunity boost, from day one. The reshaped bones are held in place with plates and screws that eventually dissolve. These sutures allow the skull to grow as the baby’s brain grows. Learn more about when to start offering meat, how to cook it…, Understanding the purpose and benefits of incubators may help to ease your worries when your baby needs to be in an incubator. This rare form involves the lambdoid suture in the back of the head. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deborah’s daughters were born with craniosynostosis. Your doctor may want to view the bone structure and inside of your infant’s head by running different diagnostic tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound. But, the timing of surgery depends on which sutures are closed and whether the baby has one of the genetic syndromes that can cause craniosynostosis. Babies with this type will have a triangular head, a ridge running down their forehead, and eyes that are too close together. When a suture closes and the skull bones join together too soon, the baby’s head will stop growing in only that part of the skull. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Seeking immediate medical assistance is critical for a successful prognosis. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In some cases, craniosynostosis occurs because of an abnormality in a single gene, which can cause a genetic syndrome. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in a baby’s skull join together too early. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor about ways to increase your chances of having a healthy baby. Usually, the first sign of craniosynostosis is an abnormally shaped skull. However, open surgery involves greater blood loss and a longer recovery time than endoscopic surgery. Maternal thyroid disease as a risk factor for craniosynostosis. Last medically reviewed on June 21, 2016, Before you make a bottle for your new arrival, consider the water you're using. A raised firm edge where the sutures closed early, Slow growth or no growth in the baby’s head size over time. After endoscopic surgery, your baby may need to wear a special helmet for up to 12 months to reshape the skull. Meat can be a solid option as a first food, offering protein, iron, and other nutrients. 2007;110:369-377. Genetic tests and other physical features usually help the doctor identify the syndromes that cause this condition. Hum Reprod. Normally, these sutures stay open until babies are about 2 years old and then close into solid bone. This can lead to a build-up of pressure inside the skull. Sometimes, special medical helmets can be used to help mold the baby’s skull into a more regular shape. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is the most common type. Maternal thyroid disease ― Women with thyroid disease or who are treated for thyroid disease while they are pregnant have a higher chance of having an infant with craniosynostosis, compared to women who don’t have thyroid disease.