Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion or closure of one (or more) of the sutures in the newborn skull. There are different kinds depending on the suture that prematurely closes. In Australia, Craniosynostosis occurs approximately 1 in every 1900 births with “Single Suture Synostosis” being the most common 0.08-00.4 in every 1000 births (80% of cases.)

Often newborns are born with this premature fusion, however depending on when it is diagnosed, and what kind of craniosynostosis it is, determines the surgical outcome. Craniosynostosis is diagnosed by CT or an MRI.

This condition is very different to plagiocephaly (misshaped head, no premature fusion of skull bones).

Most common types of Craniosynostosis:

◦ Single-Suture Synostosis (Primary) *If one skull suture fuses, the condition is called single-suture

◦ Sagittal Synostosis (scaphocephaly) *the most common presentation

◦ Unilateral Coronal Synostosis (anterior plagiocephaly)

◦ Lambdoid (posterior plagiocephaly)

◦ Metopic (trigonocephaly)

OSTEOPATHY

Osteopathy can assist with tension in a babies body, it is a very gentle approach and if we were concerned about your baby’s head shape we would refer immediately to your GP.