You've probably seen a very small baby wearing a special helmet, just like a cricket player. When you see it, you might be surprised, 'Why is this little baby wearing something like this?' This is actually not a toy helmet. This is a special medical treatment used to correct the shape of the baby's skull . Today, let's talk about what causes this and what this treatment is.
What is Craniosynostosis?
To understand this, let's first take a look at how our skull is made. Think about it, the skull is not made of a single bone. It's made of several thin bony plates. These plates are connected by flexible, fibrous tissue. We call these connections ' sutures '.
As a baby's brain grows rapidly, these sutures loosen a little, allowing the skull to grow larger. As the baby grows older, these sutures tighten, and the bone plates fuse together.
In a condition called craniosynostosis , one or more of these sutures close prematurely before the baby's brain is fully developed.
If just one suture closes quickly in this way, the baby's brain development may be normal, but the shape of the head may be abnormal. However, if several sutures close quickly, it can hinder brain development.
What are the main types of craniosynostosis?
There are several types of Craniosynostosis that can affect a baby. Let's understand them from the table below.
| Type name (Type) | Description |
|---|---|
| Scaphocephaly (Sagittal craniosynostosis) | This is the most common type. It is caused by the premature closure of the sagittal suture, which runs from front to back at the top of the skull. This causes the skull to take on a long and narrow shape. |
| Trigonocephaly (Metopic synostosis) | It is caused by the premature closure of the metopic suture, which runs from the top of the head down the middle of the forehead to the nose. This can cause the forehead to appear like a loose knot, giving it a triangular shape. |
How does a doctor diagnose this condition?
When the baby is born, a few days after birth, or during a routine clinical examination, you or your doctor may notice an unusual shape in the baby's head.
To confirm this, the pediatrician who sees your baby will do the following:
- Careful examination: Carefully observes the baby's face and head.
- Taking measurements: The circumference of the baby's head is measured and compared with growth charts.
- Physical examination: The doctor will carefully touch the baby's head, checking for sutures and "little spots" or fontanelles . They will look for any unusual lumps or bumps.
- Medical tests: Sometimes a skull X-ray or CT scan is recommended.
Remember, none of these tests will cause your baby any pain.
When does Helmet Therapy start?
Medical studies have shown that the best age to start this helmet therapy is between 5 and 6 months of age. This is because the baby's skull is growing rapidly during this period. Therefore, the gentle pressure provided by the helmet can help the skull to take on the correct shape.
By the time a baby is about a year old, the skull has grown a lot and the sutures have healed, so this helmet treatment is usually not as successful.
During this treatment, the baby must wear the corrective helmet at all times, except when bathing, and even when sleeping . The average duration of treatment is about three months. However, this may vary depending on the baby's age and the severity of the condition.
Are there other reasons why the head shape changes?
Yes. Just because your baby's head is abnormally shaped doesn't always mean he has Craniosynostosis. It can also happen for other, simpler reasons .
Deformational Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)
This is a very common cause. When babies sleep in the same position for a long time, especially on their backs, their heads become slightly flattened on one side or the back. We also call this "flat head syndrome." The important thing is that in this condition, the sutures in the skull do not close quickly.
Other factors that can affect this are:
- Muscular Torticollis: This is a congenital condition. In this condition, the muscles on one side of the neck become tight, forcing the baby to turn their head to one side. This can cause the head to change shape.
- Prematurity: Babies born before their due date have very soft skull bones. Also, their heads may change shape because they spend a lot of time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the same position.
Take-Home Message
- If you see a baby wearing a helmet, it's not a toy, it's a medical procedure that corrects the shape of the skull.
- Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the sutures in a baby's skull close prematurely before the brain develops.
- An abnormally shaped baby's head isn't always a serious condition. There can also be simple causes, such as 'Flat Head Syndrome' caused by sleeping in the same position.
- If you have the slightest doubt or question about the shape of your baby's head, never guess. The best thing to do is to talk to your baby's pediatrician about this. He or she will do the necessary tests and give you the right advice.
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