Question about suture closure?

[tams]

I'm wondering what you all have heard or read about the normal age of suture closure? I had read that the metopic generally closes between 3 and 8 months of age. And that all the other sutures begin to close after the age of 29. My sons pediatrician said his should be closing now, He will be 3yrs old soon. Just wanting to make sure that is accurate information. Thanks for your help.

[JIC0930]

I don't remember where exactly, I read it, something medical online, but it said before 2 years for the metopic and the rest in the late teens and early twenties. Of course since I don't remember where I read I can not say how accurate that is :)

[Mindy]

Yes, the only suture to fuse in infancy is the metopic. The other ones don't close until the 2nd decade of life.

[tams]

Thats what I thought. But his pediatritian said Jamesons ridges were from closure and that it is normal at this time. I don't get it. Could he even know that for sure by feel? Could they overlap at his age? I'm so confused!

[evergreenmom]

Chances are he seriously doesn't know what he is talking about. Go to a CFS if you want answers... I wouldn't think they would be overlapping but I really don't know what causes ridging- sometimes we see ridges around her that are not cranio so idk???

[tams]

That's true...strange. There's more information about Jamesons appt with his pedi today in my other thread. If you'd like to look at that and offer some advice.

I was thinking about emailing Staffenburg and Fearon to see what they thought. Do any of you know the email? I searched on here but didn't see it.

[JIC0930]

I have Dr. Staffenberg's. It has been my experience that he will respond very quickly :)
drstaffenberg@newyorkcraniofacialsurgery.com

[Mindy]

Dr. Fearon's is cranio700@aol.com

[Mindy]

I just read your update. I seriously think that your ped is misinformed and giving you inaccurate info. First of all, it isn't normal for all the sutures to be closing at his age. Second, if they are closing, you would certainly not want to put a helmet on the skull to restrict further growth and cause increased pressure. And, you are right, I've never heard of a helmet at 3 years of age. You need to get in with another CFS and if I were you, I'd have a CT scan to check on the new ridging. A ridge may be just a ridge, and the fact that his head is still growing is a good thing as with multi-sutural cranio, you wouldn't expect the skull to continue to grow if the sutures are closing. The fact that his head is growing too large and not along the same curve might be concerning, but I'm not sure. Your best bet is to get an opinion from a CFS. I would email Dr. S and Dr. F also.

[angeleka]

Everything I have heard, read, and seen about cranio says that the metopic can close normally pretty much any time after birth but the other sutures do not close until well into adulthood if at all. Sounds like his pedi is not very knowledgeable in the area of cranio and should keep his mouth shut on the subject. If he said this to you imagine what he may have said to other parents who were concerned about their kids. How many of his patients did not get help they may have needed because he made a comment about it being normal. That irks me. He needs to be educated on cranio.

[tams]

Thanks ladies! I don't know what I would do without you. I'll see what they think about Jamesons case. This whole thing is confusing and scary. I really hate it. (sorry just needed to let that out)

[tams]

you wouldn't expect the skull to continue to grow if the sutures are closing. The fact that his head is growing too large and not along the same curve might be concerning, but I'm not sure.

The nurse measured his head and put it in the chart and it was barely above his 2yr check one. Then the Dr measured and said it would be slightly lower. Who nows what is right, I believe that there are always differences depending on who does the measuring. There wasn't much of a change in the last year but it is still WAY off the chart.

[evergreenmom]

Everything I have heard, read, and seen about cranio says that the metopic can close normally pretty much any time after birth but the other sutures do not close until well into adulthood if at all. Sounds like his pedi is not very knowledgeable in the area of cranio and should keep his mouth shut on the subject. If he said this to you imagine what he may have said to other parents who were concerned about their kids. How many of his patients did not get help they may have needed because he made a comment about it being normal. That irks me. He needs to be educated on cranio.


:yeahthat

[evergreenmom]

Just got back from the appt. It was the first time I felt rushed by him. He said his head is still very large on the chart. He showed it to me and the mark is now almost 1/2 an inch above where the chart cuts off. It started out at the 50% line. Doesn't seem right to me but he said "he will grow into it". He has a mild ridge on his sagittal and is starting to get ridges on his coronals. They are about 1 1/2 inches from the center on both sides, so about a 3 inch ridge accross the top of his head. The pediatrician said this is normal suture ridging from the sutures closing. I thought sutures normally closed in adulthood other than the metopic. Guess I was wrong on that. It was my main reason for having him checked again. I was told the only concern with Jameson is the back of his head. He is going to call the CFS and ask about a helmet. At almost 3yrs old? From what I understand it is way beyond that being an option. Why wouldn't they allow that when he was little? I feel so bad for my little man. We are always getting comments about the size and shape of his head. I'm so afraid he's going to be teased growing up.
__________________

I just copied the above from your other thread Tammy-

This ped of yours is beyond out of touch and misinformed when it comes to these issues. Please get to a CFS so that someone who may be able to actually understand what is going on is checking on this. I'm so sorry. I wish I had answers for you- I just know for sure that the things you are being told are not right and you need to find someone with some answers!

I have heard that in really severe cases of plagiocephaly surgery is sometimes performed- I know that's not really what Jameson has but just thinking out loud here... not that I wish surgery on you guys but I can understand you being worried about his head shape and how it may affect him as he gets older... keep us posted as you learn more...

[tams]

I emailed Dr Fearon and Staffenberg. I had emailed them both when Jameson was 14 mo. I had never heard from Dr. S. It was my 2nd time with Dr. F and at that time he said he agreed that his head was getting worse and that surgery may be the only way to improve it. But also said I could watch him and wait. And that it is difficult to say for sure without following him in his office. This time Dr S's email wouldn't go thru I got a mailer-daemon? It said it couldn't be sent due to 'mail quota exceeded'. What does that mean? Was the email too big or maybe his inbox full?

[evergreenmom]

It was my 2nd time with Dr. F and at that time he said he agreed that his head was getting worse and that surgery may be the only way to improve it. But also said I could watch him and wait. And that it is difficult to say for sure without following him in his office.

I don't know if you are interested in getting down to Dallas to meet with Dr F in person but if you are I wanted to let you know it is possible to get financial help to do so. You live in Oregon right? Well I am in Seattle and there is a regional charity called Angel Flights Northwest that may be able to cover plane fare for you and Jameson. They helped us get to Dr F for our initial consult. They will cover two tickets per year per family if you qualify- you need your pediatrician and Dr F to submit paperwork on your behalf. There is also a group called the Childrens Craniofacial Association that may cover hotel stay and even meals and some other travel expenses- you need to apply several months in advance of your trip though as their approval process takes a while. You submit tax records and other proof that these expenses will be difficult for your family- I know several people who they have helped. There is also the World Craniofacial Association who I don't know as much about but know they have helped families who are traveling for treatment and another group called Miracleflights.org who isn't cranio related but who helps cover the cost of airfare for children and a parent needing to travel for medical reasons.

I don't know what your insurance is but the consult would only cost a few hundred I think- you would have to ask Dr F's office about that and also the neurosurgeons office if Dr F wants you to consult with them at the same time. If travelling would get you some answers maybe that is the next step... feel free to pm me if you have any questions... hth...

[tams]

Kristin- Thank you for that information. I had no idea that there was help like that available. :)

[Nezzy]

I just caught up on this thread. Wow..your pediatrician has new business pretending he know anything about cranio or plagio for that matter. If I were you, i would completely disregard anythign he said. I think he is wrong and uneducated. I agree with getting opinions from Dr. F and S. Is there also someone experienced in your area that could see him in person? Maybe Dr. Fearon would be able to recommend someone?

[tams]

I managed to get a few pics of his new ridges. Can't get the metopic and sagittal, they are more like speed bumps. :pray Please Lord let this be normal:pray
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv250/tams73/DSCN3596.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv250/tams73/DSCN3572.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv250/tams73/DSCN3565-1.jpg

[Janet]

Hey Tammy :hugg I'm sorry about your pedi. Jennifer (the admin) lives in Oregon....I'm sure she'll give you the info on her CFS.

[Mindy]

Tammie...I do see the ridge. Does it feel like a ridge or does it feel like there is a step-down from the front part of the skulll to the back. Shane has the step-down, but I am able to still feel his coronal suture.

[tams]

It feels like a ridge to my untrained hand. And his pedi said it was a ridge from the suture closing. If I start to feel the suture at the bottom (by his ears) and run my finger up(to the top of his head) it feels like an indent then smooth then the ridge. I really hope its not closing, and if it is then pray its a normal thing. He has a ridge on the back of his head where his bipartite inca bone is that connects his lambdoid sutures and it feels just like that one. Thats a newer one too, hoping thats normal closure. I'm kinda freaked! What if they are ALL closing?

[tams]

Dr. Fearon emailed me back and said. "A helmet will not work at three years of age" and "The metopic suture closes within the first year of life and all other sutures never really close but do become interdigitated. So we'll see what his pediatritian says about his call to the CFS. Hopefully should be hearing from him tomorrow afternoon.

[Janet]

I didn't think a helmet really couldn't do much at Jameson's age. I really hope you get some answers from your pedi. :hugg

[Carmen77]

I'm just catching up on this thread! Good luck at your next appt and keep us posted! :hugg