Head Measurements for the Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis

Abstract

Objective Craniosynostosis is a group of growth disturbances of the skull, which can result in serious consequences for the children who suffer from it. Early diagnosis provides treatment at the correct time. Most of the time, the pediatrician uses the head circumference (HC) as a parameter for the diagnosis, but the HC does not appear to be changed in this disease, leading to incorrect interpretations. The anteroposterior distance (APD) and biauricular distance (BAD) appear to be more accurate. The aim of this study is to analyze the value of the HC and the ratio between the measurements of the APD and the BAD for this diagnosis. Methods We analyzed the data from 129 children who had already undergone an operation for craniosynostosis at an institution in Southeastern Brazil. These data were compared with the normal standards of the population and statistically analyzed to establish their alterations. Results The HC did not change significantly in cases of craniosynostosis, neither when it was considered as a single disease, nor when considering the different subtypes. The APD/BAD ratio changed significantly in the group. Conclusion The HC does not appear to be useful in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis as an individual parameter. The APD/BAD ratio appears to help in the diagnosis.