Head Sizes and Shapes Flashcards
When does the posterior fontanelle close?
2-3 months after birth
When does the anterior fontanelle close?
1-3 years of age
What measurements are taken to assess head growth?
Occipitofrontal circumference
Measure are plot parental head sizes
Look at sutures and fontanelles
Look for asymmetrical facial facial features
(Routine up to years or in child with neurological symptoms or developmental complaints)
What are the definitions of mild and moderate/severe microcephaly?
OFC <2 SD: mild
OFC <3 SD: moderate/severe
How can you tell if onset of microcephaly os pre- or post-natal?
Is it crossing centiles?
Timing of onset
What are the causes of microcephaly?
Antenatal
Postnatal
Genetic
Environmental
What is the definition of macrocephaly?
OFC > 2SD
What are some things to consider relating to macrocephaly?
Is it crossing centiles upwards? Sutures? Fontanelles? Familial? Hydrocephalus? Large brain? Development normal? Other physical abnormalities – facial features, hepatosplenomegaly, bony deformities etc.
When do head shape problems often occur?
The first year of life
What is plagiocephaly?
Flat head
What is brachycephaly?
Short head or flat at the back
What is scaphocephaly?
Boat-shaped skull
What is craniosynostosis?
Sutures close to early causing issues with normal brain or skull growth
What are the descriptive terms for deformational plagiocephaly?
Ipsilateral frontal bossing
Ipsilateral ear displacement
Ipsilateral occipitoparietal flattening
Contralateral occipital bossing
Displacement, flattening and bossing
PLAGIOCEPHALY
What are the descriptive terms for craniosynostosis?
Metopic
Coronal
Sagittal
Lambdoid
CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS
