Scaphocephaly

Need to know

• Symptoms of Scaphocephaly icon plus

  A bony ridge over the sagittal suture is the main symptoms of sacrocephaly. Babies also have a prominent forehead and the back of head is prominent too. Children between the ages of three and five may also have increased intracranial pressure. Speech and language delay is another associated problem. This can be overcome with the help of a therapist.

• Diagnosis icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your child's symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. Scaphocephaly can be apparent from the child's appearance, so your consultant will examine your child carefully. If they think the child has scaphocephaly, they may order imaging tests to monitor bone development before and after treatment. Tests may include x-rays or CT scans — both display a clear picture of your child's skull.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you and help to determine the best approach for your child. Skull-reshaping surgery is often used to correct scaphocephaly. A team of neurosurgeons (brain), craniofacial surgeons (face) and ophthalmologists (eye specialists) will reshape your baby's skull through open surgery. This may take a number of procedures and usually happens in the first few months of life. If your child has problems with speech delay, a speech therapist will provide therapy.