Improved Treatment for Infants With Misshapen Heads

An improved treatment option provides surgeons with greater control in reshaping the skull of children suffering from craniosynostosis, a birth defect in which the bones of the skull prematurely close.

Traditionally, craniosynostosis has been treated using metal screws and plates. However, pediatric plastic surgeons at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian (NY, USA) are using absorbable plates made of a combination of polyglycolic and polylactic acid that are absorbed by the body much like surgical sutures. These plates can be placed wherever is necessary, including the forehead bone. Surgery for craniosynostosis is usually performed in the first six months of the child's life for several reasons, including the fact that the bones of the skull are easier to work with at this age. Moreover, the growing brain can continue to reshape the skull and face after the surgery.

"Deformities like a misshapen head can be very traumatic for parents,” said Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, director of the division of plastic surgery. "It is important for the child's pediatrician to detect the condition early and for parents to seek the best specialized care for their child.”

The causes of craniosynostosis are usually not known. It occurs in many syndromes, including Apert's, Crouzon's, and Pfeiffer's syndromes. However, a distorted head at birth does not always result from craniosynostosis and may require other non-surgical interventions.



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Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital