Noggin Report II

We (finally) had out consult with the pediatric neurosurgeon today about the Baby's head. The good news is that - most likely no surgery will be needed. Babybeast has a CT scan on Monday to make sure her brain has enough space, but that seemed like a formality more than anything. I'm not sure how I'm a) going to get downtown by 6:30am with a baby that normally sleeps until 9:30 and b) how I'm going to convince her not to eat or drink all night. We may seek a second opinion, as a matter of course, but I'm very pleased with the news from today.

Noggin Report

On September 18, I took Babybeast in for her 15month well baby visit and pointed out the funny ridge on her head to the pediatrician. I had consulted Dr. Google beforehand, naturally, and had an idea of the possibilities. Babies have skull plates instead of a solid skull - the spaces between the plates allow for the brain and head to grow properly. Sometimes that doesn't happen like it should and one or more areas close too soon.

Xrays were taken immediately and she was diagnosed with Metopic Synostosis, or premature fusing of the Metopic suture, which is roughly the middle top of the head down to the forehead.

Sometimes this condition just causes a ridge with no other effects, which is essentially cosmetic and requires no treatment. Sometimes it is present at birth and causes a deformation of the head called trigoncephaly (triangle head) and is very obvious. If left, it can cause pressure to build up in the fluids around the brain and surgery is typically required.

Babybeast has a much milder version, which, in my nonexpert opinion, has caused her forehead to be narrower than it should and pinching her temples, though none of this is obvious by looking at her, unless you are looking for it. My concern is that her head may become deformed as the brain pushes in other directions, in order to grow. The only treatment for this condition, if it needs treatment, is surgery.

She will be seen by a neurosurgeon and craniofacial specialist later this month - hopefully we will have more information then.