At Boston Children’s Hospital, our clinicians in Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery have extensive experience diagnosing and treating craniosynostosis in infants and children of all ages.
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the fibrous connections, between the bones of the skull, called sutures, grow together (fuse) too early during a child’s development. It most commonly affects only one of the sutures, but it can also occur in more than one. This fusion can cause problems with brain and skull growth. In some cases, it can lead to developmental delays and cognitive problems, especially if more than one suture is involved. Some children with craniosynostosis can also develop high pressure inside the skull, called increased intracranial pressure.
Craniosynostosis is often noticeable at birth, but can also be diagnosed in older children. This condition sometimes runs in families, but most often it occurs randomly.