Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a rare condition where a baby's skull doesn't grow properly and their head becomes an unusual shape. It doesn't always need to be treated, but surgery can help if it's severe.
Is my baby's head a normal shape?
Babies' heads come in all shapes and sizes. It's normal for their head to be a slightly unusual shape. It will often get better as they grow.
But your baby may have a problem like craniosynostosis if:
- their head is long and narrow – like a rugby ball
- their forehead is pointy or triangular
- 1 side of their head is flattened or bulging out
- the soft spot on the top of their head (fontanelle) disappears before they're 1 year old
- their head seems small compared with their body
If the problem is very mild, it may not be noticeable until your child is older.
See a GP if you're worried about the shape of your baby's or child's head
They can check if it could be craniosynostosis or a common problem in babies called flat head syndrome. This isn't serious and usually gets better by itself.
Ask for an urgent appointment if your child also has:
- constant headaches
- problems with their vision – like blurred or double vision
- a decline in their school performance
These problems can occur in young children with mild craniosynostosis if their skull puts pressure on their brain.
What happens at your GP appointment
Your GP will examine your child's head. They may also take some measurements to see if it's an unusual size for your child's age.
If they think it could be craniosynostosis, they may refer you to a specialist centre for more tests, like X-rays or scans.
There are 4 specialist NHS centres for craniosynostosis:
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool
- Birmingham Children's Hospital
- Great Ormond Street Hospital in London
- John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford
Staff at the centre can check if your child does have craniosynostosis, what type it is and if it might need to be treated.
Types of craniosynostosis
Treatment for craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis doesn't always need to be treated. Your child may just have regular check-ups to monitor it.
Surgery may be recommended if:
- it's severe – this could affect how your child's brain grows or lead to problems like low self-esteem as they get older
- your child has symptoms caused by pressure on their brain, such as headaches
- it's also affecting their face and causing problems like breathing difficulties
Surgery usually involves making a cut across the top of your child's head, removing and reshaping the affected parts of their skull, and then fixing them back in place.
It's done under general anaesthetic (they're asleep). Your child may need to stay in hospital for up to a week afterwards.
Long-lasting effects of craniosynostosis
Most children don't have any lasting health problems. They may have a scar across the top of their head if they had surgery, but this will be hidden by their hair.
Your child will have regular check-ups to see how they're doing. These may be every few weeks at first but will become less frequent as they get older.
If your child has severe craniosynostosis, surgery can't always fully correct the shape of their head and they may need ongoing care.
The charity Headlines can provide more information and support for people with craniosynostosis and their families.