Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of CraniosynostosisLambdoid Craniosynostosis SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Craniosynostosis
Lambdoid Craniosynostosis Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Sutures normally remain open and flexible until your child’s second birthday. This allows the brain room to grow and develop. In craniosynostosis, one or more of the sutures fuse prematurely. This causes the skull and head to grow into a misshapen form. It may also lead to increased pressure on thebrain.
Treatment for lambdoid craniosynostosis involves surgery to correct the shape of the head and allow room for the brain to grow.
Narongrit Sritana / Getty Images
There different types of craniosynostosis besides lambdoid craniosynostosis, including:
Other common symptoms of lambdoid craniosynostosis include:
Rare symptoms may include:
The following risk factors are associated with craniosynostosis:
Your doctor will carefully examine your child’s head and feel the back of their head for a hard ridge along the lambdoid suture. Your doctor will also take time to distinguish your child’s symptoms from positional plagiocephaly. For example, lambdoid craniosynostosis causes the ears to look pulled back, while positional plagiocephaly makes them appear pushed up toward the face.
Your doctor will also take a detailed history to learn about your family health history and ask specifically about any family members with a history of craniosynostosis, skull abnormality, or genetic disorder.
Your doctor may then recommend a CT scan of your child’s head. ACT scanwith three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is considered the most accurate way to diagnose lambdoid craniosynostosis. This test can show your child’s lambdoid suture and any abnormalities in the brain.
Rarely, craniosynostosis presents as part of a genetic disorder. If your doctor suspects that’s the case, they will order additional tests and may recommendgenetic testingfor the family.
Lambdoid craniosynostosis needs to be treated with surgery. The goal of surgery is to correct the shape of the head to allow the brain to grow normally. There are two types of surgery available to treat lambdoid craniosynostosis. Your doctor will discuss both options with you to determine the best one for your child.
Endoscopic Craniosynostosis Surgery
Endoscopic craniosynostosis surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is available for babies before they turn 6 months old. During this procedure, your surgeon makes several tiny incisions in your child’s scalp and then uses a small tube called anendoscopeto move the skull bones into a more circular shape.
This type of surgery needs to be performed between ages 2 to 6 months old because the skull bones are still soft and flexible enough to be shaped with an endoscope.
After the surgery, your child will need to wear a molding helmet until their first birthday to allow the head to continue to grow in a normal shape.They will have to wear it for 24 hours, including while they are sleeping.
Calvarial Vault Remodeling
Calvarial vault remodeling is a more invasive surgery that is performed once your child has turned 6 months old. During this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in your child’s scalp and moves the skull bones into a circular shape. This surgery can take up to six hours to perform and may require ablood transfusiondue to blood loss.
Calvarial vault remodeling is used in older infants because their skull bones are thick enough to be moved and hold their new shape. Babies who undergo this type of surgery do not have to wear a molding helmet afterward.
Timeline
Lambdoid craniosynostosis may be diagnosed at birth or during your child’s first year of life. Treatment will depend on your child’s age at diagnosis and how severe the skull malformation is.
The timeline for diagnosis and treatment is as follows:
Lambdoid craniosynostosis is treatable with early diagnosis and surgery. When left untreated, it’s possible for a child to experienceincreased intracranial pressure. This occurs when the pressure inside the skull increases and affects the brain. This can potentially lead to long-term complications, including:
It is incredibly difficult to hear the news that your child has a serious birth defect and likely needs surgery on their skull. Finding ways to cope is essential for parents and caregivers. Research shows that caring for a child with craniosynostosis is stressful for parents, especially when their skull malformation is noticeable to others.
A 2020 survey of parents of children with craniosynostosis found that there are steps that parents can take to reduce stress during the treatment period.Because your child’s medical appointments can feel overwhelming, try to write down any questions you have ahead of time to avoid forgetting them. You may also want to bring a pen and paper with you to take notes.
Ask your medical team who you can call with questions in between appointments. Parents found that having a specialized nurse to call helped reduce fear and stress about their child’s condition.Finally, ask your child’s medical team about a local group or online community to join for support and education.
Summary
What causes craniosynostosis?
Who is at risk of craniosynostosis?
Craniosynostosis is a common birth defect, and the exact cause of the condition is not yet understood. Possible risk factors for craniosynostosis include multiple babies in a pregnancy, large head size in utero, maternal thyroid disease, maternal smoking, and use of fertility treatments. If you are concerned about your risk factors, talk with your obstetrician.
How common is craniosynostosis?
Craniosynostosis is a relatively common birth defect, affecting about one in every 2,500 live births.
What should you expect after lambdoid craniosynostosis surgery?
After undergoing surgery for lambdoid craniosynostosis, your child will stay in the hospital. Most babies spend one night in the intensive care unit and are then moved to a regular hospital room. After endoscopic craniosynostosis surgery, your child will need to wear a helmet for several months.
A Word From Verywell
Hearing that your child has a birth defect that requires surgery is scary and overwhelming for any parent. It’s helpful to remember that the condition is treatable. Always talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns. You may find it helpful to connect with a local support group or online community.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Lambdoid craniosynostosis.Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis — recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, et al.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015;167A(4):701-707. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers’ and fathers’ reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011;48(5):509-518. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families’ experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403Additional ReadingGarrocho-Rangel A, Manriquez-Olmos L, Flores-Velazquez J, Rosales-Berber MA, Martinez-Rider R, Pozos-Guillen A.Non-syndromic craniosynostosis in children: scoping review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018;23(4):e421-e428. doi:10.4317/medoral.22328Proctor MR.Endoscopic craniosynostosis repair.Transl Pediatr. 2014;3(3):247-258. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2014.07.03
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Lambdoid craniosynostosis.Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis — recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, et al.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015;167A(4):701-707. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers’ and fathers’ reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011;48(5):509-518. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families’ experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403Additional ReadingGarrocho-Rangel A, Manriquez-Olmos L, Flores-Velazquez J, Rosales-Berber MA, Martinez-Rider R, Pozos-Guillen A.Non-syndromic craniosynostosis in children: scoping review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018;23(4):e421-e428. doi:10.4317/medoral.22328Proctor MR.Endoscopic craniosynostosis repair.Transl Pediatr. 2014;3(3):247-258. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2014.07.03
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Lambdoid craniosynostosis.Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis — recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, et al.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015;167A(4):701-707. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers’ and fathers’ reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011;48(5):509-518. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families’ experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Lambdoid craniosynostosis.
Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis — recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.
Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006
Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, et al.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015;167A(4):701-707. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953
Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426
Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers’ and fathers’ reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011;48(5):509-518. doi:10.1597/09-210
Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families’ experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403
Garrocho-Rangel A, Manriquez-Olmos L, Flores-Velazquez J, Rosales-Berber MA, Martinez-Rider R, Pozos-Guillen A.Non-syndromic craniosynostosis in children: scoping review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018;23(4):e421-e428. doi:10.4317/medoral.22328Proctor MR.Endoscopic craniosynostosis repair.Transl Pediatr. 2014;3(3):247-258. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2014.07.03
Garrocho-Rangel A, Manriquez-Olmos L, Flores-Velazquez J, Rosales-Berber MA, Martinez-Rider R, Pozos-Guillen A.Non-syndromic craniosynostosis in children: scoping review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018;23(4):e421-e428. doi:10.4317/medoral.22328
Proctor MR.Endoscopic craniosynostosis repair.Transl Pediatr. 2014;3(3):247-258. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2014.07.03
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