Types, Causes And Treatment Of Craniosynostosis
If you want to know more about the types, causes and treatment of craniosynostosis, read on!
Craniosynostosis is a congenital condition characterized by cranial deformities. The cause is premature closure of the cranial sutures. These sutures have the function of joining the bones of the skull and facilitating their movement during birth. After birth, these sutures close in a few weeks.
This disease can cause severe complications in the absence of proper treatment. Let’s take a closer look!
Types of craniosynostosis
Causes of craniosynostosis
Symptoms of craniosynostosis
Babies cry constantly and are constantly irritated
Possible complications
Diagnosis of craniosynostosis
If there is adequate prenatal monitoring, especially in mothers with risk factors, the diagnosis may be made during intrauterine development. A morphological ultrasonogram can be used, which takes place after 20 weeks of gestation.
After birth, the diagnosis is obvious. However, in mild cases, doctors may miss it. In normal cases, all sutures must be permeable for the fetus to pass through the birth canal. Small deformities can go unnoticed in the first few hours of life, which makes craniosynostosis overlooked.
Over time, these malformations become more obvious. The diagnosis can be made during a pediatric evaluation. The doctor notices the absence of the anterior fontanelle. This is a space located in the front of the skull, right at the point of communication of several sutures. It usually closes spontaneously before the age of 2 years.
Treatment of craniosynostosis
Neurosurgery is the definitive treatment for craniosynostosis. However, it takes place only under certain conditions. In fact, mild cases may not require intervention. Over time, the development of the skull normalizes. In some cases, doctors may prescribe special headphones to shape their development.
When a child requires surgery, its purpose is to reduce the deformity and promote proper growth of the skull. Subsequently, the child requires continuous monitoring, as many cases of craniosynostosis are related to genetic syndromes. There may also be complications related to neurodevelopmental defects.
What to remember about craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a common deformity of the skull that requires medical evaluation. If someone close to you is a suspected case that has not yet been diagnosed, it is important to consult a pediatrician. He will perform an initial assessment and can refer the patient to a neurosurgeon. The treatment of craniosynostosis must be done in time!
