Re: Premature closure of sagittal suture after some years

From: Mxsmanic (mxsmanic_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 07/28/04 

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 00:14:46 +0200

Franky writes:

> But what the would the signs be when the sagittal suture closes
> prematurely but after that large part of growth?

Some lesser degree of deformity. If brain growth were not significantly
impeded there would be no neurological deficits.

> Here in The Netherlands every child has to go to a so called
> "schooldoctor" each year for development examination. I guess
> when the sagittal suture whould close prematurely during the
> schoolperiod, the doctor whould notice it.

Must be a pretty exhaustive exam!

> I agree, but normally they would be able to act instantly when they
> would discover the premature closure.

How would they discover the premature closure before symptoms appear?
It's not always easy to tell whether fusion has occurred or not.

> But do you think it's common to reshape the
> skull just for cosmetic reasons?

Given the degree of deformity that can result from craniosynostosis,
it's certainly common enough in that case. Even if it's nothing more
than appearance, the appearance can be dramatic enough to ruin someone's
life if it's not fixed.

> Normally when one has a head full of hair, the premature suture
> would be noticable if it occured later in childhood because of
> the smaller impact, but when one starts balding
> at some point there could be problem.

The deformities are often dramatically obvious if fusion occurs early.
If it doesn't and they aren't, I don't know that they'd be more obvious
after hair loss.

> Yes me too, but they all tell me the same things. I can't find any
> detailed information on the premature closure late in childhood
> instead of closure at birth. Information on the specific effects of
> the closure later in childhood on especially the forming of the skull.

The implication is that it's not much of an issue. Either it's not very
common, or its effects are minor, or both. 

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