Craniosynostosis

Overview

Craniosynostosis: A defect involving the fusion of one or more bones in the skull before it has finished growing which affects the head size and shape and can affect the growth of the brain. The defect is often associated with other conditions. Symptoms are determined by which skull bones are prematurely fused.

Symptoms

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Craniosynostosis includes the 13 symptoms listed below: * Abnormal head shape * Increased intracranial pressure * Developmental delay * Mental retardation * Seizures * Blindness * Abnormal head shape * Increased intracranial pressure * Mental retardation * Developmental delay * Seizures * Blindness * Dysmorphic facial features The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Craniosynostosis that are listed by the Diseases Database: * Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome * Michels syndrome * Dubowitz syndrome * Fetal aminopterin-like syndrome * Jackson-Weiss syndrome * Apert syndrome * Saethre-Chotzen syndrome * Hypophosphatasia * Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase deficiency * Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome * Crouzon craniofacial dysostosis * Acrocephalopolysyndactyly type 2 * Acrocephalopolydactylous dysplasia * Muenke syndrome * Antley-Bixler syndrome * Lowry-MacLean syndrome * Robinow-Sorauf syndrome * Christian syndrome 1 * Lowe syndrome * Baller-Gerold syndrome

Causes

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Craniosynostosis) that could possibly cause Craniosynostosis includes: * Familial genetic disease * Chromosome disease * Microcephaly (abnormally small head) * Hydrocephalus

Diagnosis

The phrase "signs of Craniosynostosis" should, strictly speaking, refer only to those signs and symptoms of Craniosynostosis that are not readily apparent to the patient. The word "symptoms of Craniosynostosis" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Craniosynostosis. The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Craniosynostosis. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Craniosynostosis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Craniosynostosis signs or Craniosynostosis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Craniosynostosis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Craniosynostosis symptoms.

Prognosis

Prognosis for Craniosynostosis: Prognosis for craniosynostosis varies depending on whether single or multiple sutures are involved and the presence of associated abnormalities. Prognosis is better for those with single suture involvement and no associated abnormalities.The 'prognosis' of Craniosynostosis usually refers to the likely outcome of Craniosynostosis. The prognosis of Craniosynostosis may include the duration of Craniosynostosis, chances of complications of Craniosynostosis, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Craniosynostosis, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Craniosynostosis. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.

Treatment

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Craniosynostosis includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans. * Surgery . Treatment for PROM depends on fetal age and the risk of infection. In a term pregnancy, if spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery aren’t achieved within a relatively short time (usually within 24 hours after the membranes rupture), induction of labor with oxytocin is usually required; if induction fails, cesarean delivery is usually necessary. Cesarean hysterectomy is recommended with gross uterine infection. Management of a preterm pregnancy of less than 34 weeks is controversial. However, with advances in technology, a conservative approach to PROM has now been proven effective. With a preterm pregnancy of 28 to 34 weeks, treatment includes hospitalization and observation for signs of infection (maternal leukocytosis or fever, and fetal tachycardia) while awaiting fetal maturation. If clinical status suggests infection, baseline cultures and sensitivity tests are appropriate. If these tests confirm infection, labor must be induced, followed by I.V. administration of antibiotics. A culture should also be made of gastric aspirate or a swabbing from the neonate’s ear because antibiotic therapy may be indicated for him as well. At such delivery, have resuscitative equipment available to treat neonatal distress.