Alternative names
Ridged sutures

Definition
Ridged sutures is caused by an overlap of the bony plates of the skull, with or without premature 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 at which these plates intersect are called sutures or suture lines. In an infant only a few minutes old, the pressure from delivery compresses the head, making the bony plates overlap at the sutures and creating a small ridge.

This is a normal finding of newborns. In the next few days the head expands, the overlapping disappears, and 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 prematurely. When this happens, growth along that particular suture line ceases. Premature closure generally leads to an unusually shaped skull.

Premature closure of the sagittal suture (scaphocephaly) produces a long, narrow head, while premature closure of the coronal suture leads to a short, wide head.

Common Causes

 
• Normal ridging due to overlap of bony plates after birth - resolves spontaneously  
• Congenital craniosynostosis  
• Crouzon’s syndrome  
• Apert’s syndrome  
• Carpenter’s syndrome  
• Pfeiffer syndrome

Home Care
Home care depends on the condition causing the premature closure of sutures.

Call 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 health care provider’s office
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting ridged sutures in detail may include:

 
• When did you first notice that the skull seemed to have ridges in it?  
• What do the fontanelles (soft spots) look like?  
• Have the fontanelles closed? At what age did they close?  
• What other symptoms are present?  
• How has your child’s development been progressing?

Your health care provider will begin with an examination of the skull to determine if ridging exists. If it does, x-rays or other types of scans of the skull may be obtained to verify premature closure of the sutures.

After seeing your health care provider:
Although your health care provider keeps records from routine examinations, you may find it helpful to maintain your own records of the development. You will want to bring these records to your health care provider’s attention if you notice anything unusual.

You may want to add a diagnosis related to ridged sutures to your personal medical record.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.