Early Information on Craniosynostosis

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Early Information on Craniosynostosis Can Save Lives

Babies are truly bundles of joy and parents always make sure that their newborns are secured. However, there are still instances where infants still get these unexpected afflictions despite prenatal care. One of the most dreaded health conditions in babies is Craniosynostosis. That’s why it is advisable for parents to save up in case unforeseen circumstances like acquiring this sickness occur. You can check some health insurance companies online, such as Aviva Health at www.aviva.co.uk, for some of the possible services that parents can invest upon to alleviate all the possible expenses needed in serious health matters such as Craniosynostosis.

It is a type of deformation that occurs in the infant’s skull. During delivery, it is still comprised of sutures which are fibrous joints that seam the bone plates of a baby’s head. It also allows the head to mold in accordance to the mother’s birth canal during childbirth. As the infant undergoes development, these sutures close and form one solid skull. In the case of a baby with this condition, the sutures have prematurely bonded while still inside the mother’s womb. According to the European Journal of Human Genetics, 20% of these cases are due to discrepancies in chromosome formation. A list of genetic conditions is linked with Craniosynostosis as well like Pffeifer syndrome, Crouzon’s syndrome, Apert syndrome, Muenke syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, and the Cranio-frontal-nasal dysplasia.

Craniosynostosis can be detected after child birth. Pediatricians can check if the shape of the infant’s head does not possess deformities at this time. To further verify if there are any abnormalities, babies should undergo CT scan in order to examine the interior structure of the head. Once the type of Craniosynostosis is determined, it is advisable for the child to undergo surgical correction, and even reconstruction of the cranium itself. Foregoing immediate care for this deformity can avoid more impediments in the future.

Newborns with this medical condition are usually kept under the wraps but by educating parents on Craniosynostosis, more infants will have a chance to live a normal life.

Reference for European Journal of Human Genetics: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3060331