Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis may often be the result of a genetic disorder, and it can also occur as the result of a spontaneous mutation. Other factors include prenatal infections, certain drugs and inadequate nutrition. The condition can also be seen in more than one person in the same family.

The symptoms of craniosynostosis may include the head being smaller or larger than normal, abnormal shapes or protrusions of the skull, the eyes being closer together or further apart than normal, the ears being positioned lower than normal, premature closure of the fontanelles, and headache, vomiting and seizures due to pressure on the brain.

The treatment of craniosynostosis is surgical. The surgical intervention is an operation performed by cutting and rearranging the bones in certain regions of the skull.

Skull shape deformities that develop not from premature fusion of the skull bones but only from babies being laid down constantly in the same position are called positional plagiocephaly. If this condition is noticed early, correcting the lying position eliminates the problem, while in later cases a special device (use of a helmet, orthosis) may be tried to shape the baby's skull correctly.

Early diagnosis and treatment of craniosynostosis are extremely important. If left untreated, the baby's brain may not develop normally and serious health problems may result. For this reason, it is important for the baby to be followed regularly after birth and for investigation and treatment to begin immediately when signs of craniosynostosis appear.

To make a definitive diagnosis of craniosynostosis, suspected babies need to have a computed tomography scan. In this way it can be confirmed whether the growth centres between the skull bones (the suture lines) have closed early.

For more detailed information please see: http://www.profcanter.com/Kraniosinostoz-Ameliyatlari