skull sutures

[PrincessFiona]

Does anyone know much about/have experience with skull sutures closing too early? We are likely facing that with Aidan and will be going in for a 3-d CT to determine if this is the case. I just have no knowledge/experience with this...

kris

[Michele]

Kris, I don't really know much about it...I think in dogs they just break the bones and remove some so the brain can have enough room to grow...I just wanted to say I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

[PrincessFiona]

Michele,

That is what our pediatrician said....that if this is the case (and she feels it is) that a craniofacial surgeon would remove some of the bone to allow his skull and brain to grow normally.

I didn't realize that this happens in animals too. Do you have any idea what would cause this?

kris

[Michele]

I don't know what causes it....sometimes when dogs (children too I assume) fall and "break" their arms, but really get a crushing injury at the growthplate, it can cause them to fuse and then you end up with angular limb deformites....maybe when they are in the womb or during birth their little skulls kinda crush the growth plates a little and induce them to fuse? Or maybe it's just one of those congenital abnormalities that we really don't know why it happens.... I don't think it's anything preventable though.

[BonBon]

Kris, when does he get the CT?

Here's a couple links to some useful information...if you do a search of "craniosynostosis", you'll get quite a few hits.
http://www.kidsplastsurg.com/craniosynostosis.html
http://www.chp.edu/greystone/craniofacial/cranio_jh.php

From what I read, it can be inherited or occur completely by chance. Kevin and I actually discussed this a few weeks ago. We have to keep an eye on Gavin for this - if his thyroid hormone level gets too high, in can actually cause this.

Keep us posted, and I hope little Aidan is fine.