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Sutures - ridged
Ridged sutures
Ridged sutures refer to an overlap of the bony plates of the skull in an infant, with or without early closure.
Considerations
The skull of an infant or young child is made up of bony plates that allow for growth of the skull. The borders where these plates intersect are called sutures or suture lines. In an infant only a few minutes old, the pressure from delivery compresses the head. This makes the bony plates overlap at the sutures and creates a small ridge.
This is normal in newborns. In the next few days the head expands and the overlapping disappears. The edges of the bony plates meet edge to edge. This is the normal position.
Ridging of the suture line can also occur when the bony plates fuse together too early. When this happens, growth along that suture line stops. Premature closure generally leads to an unusually shaped skull.
Premature closing of the suture running the length of the skull (sagittal suture) produces a long, narrow head. Premature closing of the suture that runs from side to side on the skull (coronal suture) leads to a short, wide head.
Causes
Causes may include:
- Normal ridging due to overlap of bony plates after birth
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Congenital
craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more of the sutures on a baby's head closes earlier than usual. The skull of an infant or young c...
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Apert syndrome
Apert syndrome
Apert syndrome is a genetic disease in which the seams between the skull bones close earlier than normal. This affects the shape of the head and fac...
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- Pfeiffer syndrome
Home Care
Home care depends on the condition causing the premature closure of sutures.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if:
- You notice a ridge along the suture line of your child's head.
- You think that your child has an abnormal head shape.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will get a medical history and will do a physical exam .
Physical exam
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinat...
Medical history questions might include:
- When did you first notice that the skull seemed to have ridges in it?
- What do the soft spots (fontanelles) look like?
- Have the fontanelles closed? At what age did they close?
- What other symptoms are present?
- How has your child been developing?
Your provider will examine the skull to see if there is ridging. If there is ridging, the child might need x-rays or other types of scans of the skull to show whether the sutures have closed too early.
x-rays
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...
Although your provider keeps records from routine checkups, you may find it helpful to keep your own records of your child's development. Bring these records to your provider's attention if you notice anything unusual.
References
Carlo W. The newborn infant. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 88.
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Skull of a newborn - illustration
The "sutures" or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant. The diamond shaped space on the top of the skull and the smaller space further to the back are often referred to as the "soft spot" in young infants.
Skull of a newborn
illustration
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Skull of a newborn - illustration
The "sutures" or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant. The diamond shaped space on the top of the skull and the smaller space further to the back are often referred to as the "soft spot" in young infants.
Skull of a newborn
illustration
Review Date: 2/5/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
