Yesterday I took my son for a well baby visit. The doctor told me that his frontal lobe suttures are closing together too soon. She said that if it continues to close or closes completely then he may have to have surgery to reopen it in order for his brain to grow. Has anyone else heard of this? Apparently this isn't suppose to close until he is 18 months or 2 years old. That's a long time to worry about something. Do you think I should get a second opinion?
2006-09-22 06:59:23 · 16 answers · asked by Lisa 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Wow, I haven't heard of this before, but it sounds serious. I would get a second opinion just to be on the safe side. You want to get all the info you can about this before you let someone perform surgery on your baby's head.
I did find the following info for you online:
Measuring head growth (occipto-frontal circumference) is crucial to make sure that the brain is expanding the skull at the appropriate rate. Rarely the skull will prematurely stop growing giving the head an abnormal shape and constricting the brain.
The name of this problem is craniosynostosis. At birth the skull is made of up of several plates of bone with junctions or sutures, as they are called, between the bony plates. These junctions allow the skull to expand as the brain grows. If the junctions or sutures fuse too early (craniosynostosis) they prevent the skull from expanding and growing properly. Most often only some of the sutures fuse so the result is not a skull that does not expand, but rather, one that expands in an abnormal way resulting in an unusual skull shape. If multiple sutures prematurely fuse, it can constrict the brain growth and impede neurologic development.
It is a relatively rare condition occurring in about 1/2000 births. The cause is unknown in most cases and it is associated with genetic problems in about 20 percent of the cases. There is preliminary evidence that increased paternal age may increase the risk for craniosynostosis.
Skull X-rays and CT scans of the skull are required to make the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. However, the most important factor is a physician with in-depth knowledge of craniosynostosis and related problems. If there is concern about craniosynostosis, your doctor will likely refer you to another specialist.
I also included a few sites that I found about the subject. Definately check out the last one, it has pictures and is more specific on the details and statistics. Good luck, I hope all goes well for you and your son. I wish you the best, and I will pray for your son's health.
2006-09-22 07:13:32 · answer #1 · answered by momoftwo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Getting a second opinion certainly won't hurt. You definitely need a doctor that you trust 100%. I have a friend who had a son that had the surgery you are talking about. There are risks with any surgery, but I can tell you that he did amazing. Children are resilient. They heal fast, and tolerate these things much better then adults. Her little guy was home after brain surgery within a few days, and recovered beautifully. She's never regreted her decision, and he was able to continue to grow normally.
2006-09-22 08:26:34 · answer #2 · answered by Kristine M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be in the best interest for your child for you to get a second opinion. Especially with something that involves your baby having surgery. My daughter had eye surgery (tear ducts)when she was a little over a year old, she had to get this surgery done twice because the first time did not completely solve the problem and before she had the second surgery done, I went and got a second opinion.
2006-09-22 07:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two nephews with this problelm. You should get a second opinion just to make sure. What they do is make a mold of his head to make a helmet...after the surgery he will wear a helmet for a few months..then everything should be normal. I'm told that if you opt not to have the surgery than it causes a mental "slowness". Both my nephews have had the surgery and both are just fine now...good luck!
2006-09-22 07:08:29 · answer #4 · answered by crazimommi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes get a second and third opinion, doctors don't know everything, One doctor told me my daughter should have surgery to reverse her outtie belly button? I never heard of such a thing, then I got a second opinion and the other doctor thought it was ridiculous.
2006-09-22 07:08:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friends son is 6 months old and he is having the same thing going on. she went and got a second opinion and they just reffered her to a orthopedic surgeon. I would definatly get a second opinion but i would also try to contact a surgeons office to see if they can give you any advice over the phone. Good luck!! I hope all goes well!
2006-09-22 07:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tinkerbelle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know a girl who had this issue...She's 20 now. The doctors cut her head and put in an adjustable plate so that they could expand it as her brain grew...She doesn't have much of a scar now because they did a nice job of cutting right at the hairline so it's pretty blended. Good luck to you and your son!
2006-09-22 07:03:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could never hurt to get a second opinion. I have no clue what the doc is talking about, but it sounds somewhat serious, so yes get another opnion and go from there. Good Luck to you and your son.
2006-09-22 07:03:04 · answer #8 · answered by lillady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if his frontal lobe is closing to early than his brain will not be able to grow.
2006-09-22 07:01:11 · answer #9 · answered by bubbles26 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely get a second opinion; especially since surgery is being discussed!
2006-09-22 07:01:45 · answer #10 · answered by DMBthatsme 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋