Pregnancy is the most important time for baby's growth. Therefore, it is fitting for pregnant women to maintain their health and diet. However, it does not rule out the possibility that there is still a risk that the baby will be born disabled even if the parent has taken care of the pregnancy. One form of birth defect that may occur is craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis is a condition of a baby's skull bones abnormality, which will worsen if he is not treated quickly.
Craniosynostosis is a baby skull deformity
Craniosynostosis is a condition of birth defects that causes the shape of the baby's head to be abnormal due to abnormalities in the skull. The skull bone is not a single stand-alone bone, but a combination of seven different bone plates. The seven bones are connected to each other by a network called sutura.
A flexible suture allows the skull bone to expand following growth in brain volume. Over time, the sutures harden and eventually close, bringing together the seven plates of bone to become intact skull bones.
Babies are said to experience craniosynostosis if one or several suture tissues close faster than they should. As a result, the baby's brain cannot develop optimally because it is hampered by the skull bones that are already fused. This condition is very dangerous because it can cause some disorders and abnormalities.
The disproportionate shape of the skull can cause prolonged headaches, visual disturbances, and psychological problems later on.
What causes craniosynostosis?
The cause of craniosynostosis is unknown. Even so, sometimes this condition is associated with genetic disorders such as Apert's syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, Crouzon's syndrome, and much more. In some cases, craniosynostosis is caused by a combination of exposure to chemicals during pregnancy and genetic factors.
Types of craniosynostosis
Depending on the type of suture involved in accelerating the closure of the skull, craniosynostosis is divided into four types, namely:
- Sagittal. This is the type most commonly found in craniosynostosis. As the name implies, this disorder occurs when the sagittal suture, which runs from the front to the back of the upper skull (fontanel area), closes too early. This disorder causes the head to grow elongated and slightly flattened.
- Coronal. Coronal suture extends from the right and left ear to the top of the skull. Early closure of this section can cause the forehead shape to become uneven and bumpy.
- Metopic. The metopic suture extends from the nose through the midline of the forehead to the crown and is connected to the sagittal suture at the top of the skull. Early closure of the suture causes the forehead to form a triangle with the back of the head widening.
- Lambdoid. Early closure occurs in the lambdoid suture, which runs from right to left on the back of the skull. This causes a part of the baby's head to look flat and the position of one ear is higher than the other. Lambdoid craniosynostosis is very rare.
Symptoms of craniosynostosis
Symptoms and signs of craniosynostosis usually appear when the baby is born, and are increasingly visible after a few months. These symptoms include:
- The crown of the baby's head is not visible.
- The shape of the baby's skull looks strange (disproportionate).
- Increased pressure inside the baby's skull.
- The baby's head does not develop with age.
In some cases, craniosynostosis causes interference or damage to the brain, and inhibits the growth process in general. The following are the symptoms that you need to be aware of.
- Sudden vomiting, without being preceded by nausea.
- Hearing disorders.
- Eyes are swollen or difficult to move.
- Sleep more often and rarely play.
- The sound of loud and irregular breathing.
- It's easier to cry than usual.
How is craniosynostosis diagnosed?
Craniosynostosis is a disorder that must be handled by doctors and specialists, such as pediatric neurosurgeons or plastic surgeons. To diagnose craniosynostosis, several checks will be needed.
- Physical examination. In this examination, the doctor will measure the baby's head, and feel the entire surface of the head to check the condition of the suture and crown.
- Scan. This examination includes CT Scan, MRI, or x-ray of the head. This test aims to see if there is a suture tissue that closes faster than normal. Laser scanning can also be done to get accurate skull and head size.
- DNA test. If a link with another genetic disorder is suspected, DNA testing can be done to determine the type of genetic abnormality that is the cause.
- Craniosynostosis treatment