What is Craniosynostosis?

Craniosynostosis (kray-nee-o-sin-os-TOE-sis) is a birth defect in which one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of your baby's skull (cranial sutures) close prematurely (fuse), before your baby's brain is fully formed. Brain growth continues, giving the head a misshapen appearance.

Craniosynostosis usually involves fusion of a single cranial suture, but can involve more than one of the sutures in your baby's skull (complex craniosynostosis). In rare cases, craniosynostosis is caused by certain genetic syndromes (syndromic craniosynostosis). - Mayo Clinic

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Why I'm Posting This?

My little boy recently had his set of vaccines and his usual measurements taken by his pediatrician.

One measurement was his head size. The doctor would usually wrap a measuring tape around his head to get the circumference. I have only heard about this condition after his doctor explained the possibility of my baby having it, since his head is smaller than most of his age (7 months, going 8).

Treating craniosynostosis involves surgery to correct the shape of the head and allow for normal brain growth. Early diagnosis and treatment allow your baby's brain adequate space to grow and develop. - Mayo Clinic

That's what the doctor also said. Baby Zion may have to undergo surgery if he tests positive with the signs of having craniosynostosis. We're having a trip to the hospital today to have him take some tests: x-rays, ct scans, and stuff. Something I never thought he would need this early (not even when he grows up). The most I've been in a hospital is the emergency room and usually they send me home after a few hours, the most extreme test I had to take was having my blood taken by a syringe!

The first time Zion was laid on an x-ray bed, he didn't like it, all he did was cry while he was being held down to have an x-ray shot taken. He's brave though, twice he went to the hospital 3 and 5 months old, nurses would get blood samples but he wouldn't cry, he will just make a sad-brave face and possibly whispering 'get it over with'. He's a brave and strong baby.

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This bubbly kid is way strong for any disease!

I'm posting this to ask for prayers from my fellow Steemians. We're hoping Baby Zion doesn't need any surgery at all.

It could just be genetics why his head is small for his age. All his motor functions are advanced, even his learning abilities (as we've noticed at home) also seem advanced for his age. So I'm positive everything will turn out negative after all the tests today.

Symptoms

Your baby's skull has seven bones. Joints called cranial sutures, made of strong, fibrous tissue, hold these bones together. In the front of your baby's skull, the sutures intersect in the large soft spot (fontanel) on the top of your baby's head. Normally, the sutures remain flexible, giving your baby's brain time to grow until the bones fuse at about age 2.

The signs of craniosynostosis are usually noticeable at birth, but they'll become more apparent during the first few months of your baby's life. These can include:

• A misshapen skull, with the shape depending on which of the sutures are affected
• An abnormal feeling or disappearing fontanel on your baby's skull
• Development of a raised, hard ridge along affected sutures
• Slow or no growth of the head as your baby grows
  Mayo Clinic

Those in bold are the symptoms the doctor noticed that Zion has. Hopefully everything's normal and we don't need to go through any surgery of some kind, that's too cruel for a baby to go through.

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Although neurological damage can occur in severe cases, most children have normal cognitive development and achieve good cosmetic results after surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are key. - Mayo Clinic

We're praying and hoping for the best. We know God loves our baby Zion and He will cover him always with His precious blood and provide for him at any given time. All I ask of you is to give your prayers as well for this situation we're in, a prayer can go a long way!

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Update 7/19: Had to put off baby's tests for tomorrow. I went to the hospital myself cause I got stomach flu. When I went back they were sleeping soundly so I didn't bother waking them up anymore. When we all woke up it was already evening.

Lol. I haven't taken my tests. It was all paid by the healthcare though (whooping cash equal to 60$). Have to go back to the hospital for my tests too.

Thanks guys!

Update 7/20: The tests were put off again till this coming Saturday. We were supposed to go this Thursday afternoon however the traffic was pretty bad going to the hospital and her dad that would drive us had another thing going on and got caught up. We decided to take them on Saturday since I won't have work by the evening and her dad would be free that day as well.

Update 7/24:

Getting approvals for the lab tests.

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If you'd like to read more about this condition. Please click here. I recommend that you read it especially if you have a newborn or a few months old baby. Make sure to always check everything on your baby and don't skip his trips to his pediatrician. Prevention is better than cure.

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