Craniosynostosis

What is craniosynostosis?

Craniosynostosis is when the bones in your baby’s skull close too early, restricting brain development.

When your baby is born, their skull is made up of soft bony plates separated by gaps called sutures. These sutures eventually close to protect the brain as it grows. Normally, this happens between the ages of 20 and 24 months.

Craniosynostosis occurs when one or more of the sutures close too early, either before birth or after. This can stop the skull from growing properly, which can limit space for your baby’s brain to develop. It can also cause their head to look misshapen or uneven.

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to reduce the risk of brain damage.

Sagittal craniosynostosis

Here, the skull looks long and narrow, from the front to the back and from ear to ear, like a rugby ball. The forehead can stick out more than usual, and the back of the head may look more pronounced. You might feel a ridge along the top of your baby’s head.

Metopic craniosynostosis

When the middle of the forehead closes too early, causing the forehead to be pointy and shaped like a triangle. The eyes may be closer together, and the outer part of the brow may not form properly.

Unicoronal Craniosynostosis

When one side of the forehead flattens when one of the sutures on the sides of the head fuses too early. The eyebrow on that side might be less developed, while the other side of the forehead may bulge out. The face and skull can look uneven, with the ears shifting and the nose leaning away from the flattened side.

Causes

It is not fully understood what causes craniosynostosis. It can be caused by hereditary conditions like Crouzon or Apert syndrome. It can also be influenced by issues during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, it happens with no clear reason or family history.

Treatment

Treatment for craniosynostosis typically involves surgery. The nature of the surgery depends on the type and severity of the craniosynostosis. Early diagnosis allows for more straightforward treatment.

After surgery, babies often will need cranial remoulding treatment to guide the skull’s growth. They will need to wear a bespoke helmet like the LOC Cranioband Lite. Treatment can last several months and may include wearing more than one helmet as the baby grows.

We receive referrals to create bespoke helmets for babies who have undergone craniosynostosis surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The helmet is similar to the one used in treatment for positional plagiocephaly, but with different design features. We also take referrals from other hospitals performing the same endoscopic surgery.

See helmet therapy treatment for craniosynostosis