Craniosynostosis is characterized by abnormal, premature fusion of the skull bones. As a result of the condition, the child's skull bones lose the ability to expand harmoniously and provide space for the growing brain. The growing brain does not receive the necessary space, compressing the skull, leading to symptoms such as:
- developmental delays;
- deformation of the skull with displacement of facial parts (the brain grows in the direction where there is space for it);
- disruption of all brain functions, etc.
In the future, the child may struggle to adapt to the social environment, becoming withdrawn, and may develop depressive syndrome; in adolescence, such children are often prone to suicide.
Craniosynostosis is diagnosed from the first days of life; an experienced pediatrician immediately identifies the child with the pathology and refers them for further examination. For a more detailed picture, a CT scan is performed on the baby. This method allows for the modeling of a three-dimensional image of the entire skull, revealing developmental abnormalities and identifying the location of the fusion. However, not all countries have a well-developed pediatric care system, and even with regular monitoring, this condition often goes unnoticed, leading to disability from early childhood.
At the Top Ihilov Medical Center, every newborn is immediately screened for craniosynostosis and is closely monitored, allowing for the prompt identification of the pathology and the initiation of treatment without delay. Surgical treatment of young patients is performed by the best surgeons, each of whom has specialized training in pediatric pathologies and extensive experience in performing these operations. The availability of the most modern equipment and technology allows for surgical interventions using the least invasive methods with great success.
Advantages of Craniosynostosis Treatment at Top Ihilov Medical Center
The child undergoes a comprehensive multi-level examination and urgent treatment at the medical center. The entire stay in the country does not exceed two weeks. Comfortable rooms are provided for parents and children, along with consultations and training on caring for a sick child. Surgeries are performed only by highly qualified pediatric surgeons, at the level of professor or doctor.
After returning home, the treating physician continues to monitor the child, with communication through telecommunication video means.
Surgical treatment is performed with the aim of:
- decompressing the brain;
- correcting the shape of the skull;
- increasing the volume of intracranial space.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia, and the patient is necessarily hospitalized, followed by required rehabilitation treatment. With timely surgical intervention, the prognosis for treatment is very favorable.
The most optimal time for treatment is when the child is between 3 months and 10 months old. Good results can even be achieved when the surgery is performed on patients under 2 years of age. If surgical treatment has not been conducted by the age of 5, brain impairments become very difficult to treat, and the surgery tends to be more cosmetic in nature. Prolonged rehabilitation yields results, but they are limited. Therefore, specialists at the Top Ihilov Medical Center strongly recommend that parents of children suspected of having craniosynostosis seek medical help immediately.