Recognising a child with isolated craniosynostosis

What you need to knowCraniosynostosis is the premature fusion of cranial sutures in children, which produces abnormal head shapesClinical recognition of craniosynostosis is possible based on head shape when looking from aboveIdentification and referral to a specialist unit before 6 months of age enables a greater range of treatment optionsPrimary care practitioners often see parents with concerns about their infant’s head shape, through direct presentation or referral by a health visitor. Clinicians should consider craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of cranial sutures in a child, as a possible diagnosis when reviewing these patients. This condition has a global prevalence of approximately one in 1695 live births.1Premature fusion occurs antenatally in most patients, with just 2.4% of cases occurring postnatally, secondary to other conditions.2 It is not clearly identifiable on antenatal ultrasound. Single suture fusion is seen in 78% of cases, and multiple suture fusions in 22%. Sixty nine per cent of…
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