Posted on Feb 17, 2023
The 12th Annual Craniofacial Fundraising Gala
Join us on May 09
The NJ Craniofacial Center Gala is hosted by the NJ Craniofacial Center at Morristown, to benefit the organizations who work hard to provide services to the children and families in need around the world. Our gala will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6:00PM, at The Park Savoy Estate.
Our healthcare professionals are dedicated to helping children and their families overcome the challenges of craniofacial disorders. We look forward to supporting patient families dealing with these challenges, along with the great organizations who share our same passion.
Join us for a night filled with fun, great presentations, and your chance to win some great gift baskets, silent auction items or 50/50 raffle!
The NJ Craniofacial Center cares for so many children with craniofacial differences. All of our doctors, families, and medical team members’ support the physical and emotional well-being of our patients. As we all know it is difficult being different, especially for children. We strive to provide children and their families the care and support they need to overcome these obstacles and assist them in feeling inclusive in the community.
All of our physicians and professionals strive to provide high quality surgical care to babies and children with facial abnormalities, and to bring their services to developing countries around the world. Hosting the NJ Craniofacial Gala each year helps us to not only assist patients in our home communities but also continue to support and provide proceeds to our next upcoming mission trip!
We appreciate your support and donations for another successful event, and hope to see you there!
All are welcome so please extend the invitation 🙂
Proceeds Help Support NJ Craniofacial Center Organization which is a 501c3.
We hope to see you there! Click this ticket link (www.eventcreate.com/e/njcraniofacialgala) for more information regarding our sponsorship packages.
Our skull is made up of 8 bones and joints where the bones of the skull meet, these are known as sutures. These sutures allow the skull to grow as an infant grows and develops. Over time, the sutures close and the bones fuse together. This forms the skull into a solid piece of bone. Craniosynostosis is a condition where 1 or more of the sutures close too early and unfortunately, it is becoming more prevalent among children today as compared to a few decades ago.
Craniosynostosis refers to the early fusion of a single cranial suture, however, it can affect more than one suture in a baby’s skull. Craniosynostosis generally involves a premature fusion of a single cranial suture. Certain hereditary disorders can induce craniosynostosis in rare circumstances. In some complicated instances of craniosynostosis, multiple sutures may fuse.
Though severe cases of neurological impairment may arise, the majority of kids recover from surgery with satisfactory aesthetic outcomes and normal cognitive development. Early detection and intervention are essential for the treatment of the underlying condition. If not corrected on the time it leads to restricted skull growth and worsens head deformity. Treatment typically involves craniosynostosis surgery to correct the shape of the skull and allow for proper brain growth.
Craniosynostosis affects one in every 2000 newborns and remains mostly undiagnosed thus it cannot be said that it is common in children. It is occasionally connected to a genetic condition. The majority of children with craniosynostosis are generally healthy and intelligent. Genetic disorders can be related to health concerns such as breathing difficulty and other birth abnormalities when they are passed down through genes. Most children who receive surgery when they are young enjoy healthy lives. However, long-term consequences are possible. A child with craniosynostosis needs frequent medical examinations to ensure that the skull, facial bones, and brain develop correctly.
Children with craniosynostosis have an asymmetrical head shape. Their head may appear shorter, longer, broader, or narrower than usual. Alternatively, the two sides of the cranium may be unequal. Parents or physicians may not detect an odd head shape in a newborn until a few weeks after delivery. It’s common for a baby’s head to change form in the first few weeks of Other symptoms of a child affected by craniosynostosis include a child being extremely drowsy or inactive, being cranky or irritable, having a bulging fontanel (soft area) on the top of the skull, or not being able to receive the feed.
During a physical examination, doctors can detect craniosynostosis. A doctor will feel the baby’s skull for harsh edges and strange soft patches along the sutures. The doctor would also look for any issues with the baby’s face shape. Craniosynostosis is frequently discovered shortly after a baby is delivered and at other times it is detected later in life.
An unusually formed skull is usually the first evidence of craniosynostosis. Other signs may include. Slow or no growth in the baby’s head size over a period of time.
Furthermore, before a baby is born, physicians may detect craniosynostosis on ultrasound images. At Other times, the issue is discovered a few weeks later.
If a doctor suspects a newborn has craniosynostosis, he or she may prescribe testing such as X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.
The treatment for Craniosynostosis involves surgery which is necessary for several cases of the condition. The purpose of the surgery is to repair the craniosynostosis, release pressure on the brain, and allow the brain to develop normally. A surgical operation is often carried out within the first year of life when necessary. However, the time of surgery is determined by the type of sutures used and if the infant has one of the hereditary abnormalities that might induce craniosynostosis.
Craniofacial Center employs a multidisciplinary approach in order to assess and treat patients with a wide range of congenital or acquired craniofacial disorders including facial appearance, eating and swallowing, hearing and middle ear infections, speech and breathing, dental and oral-maxillofacial development, and psychosocial development, infants, children, and teenagers with craniofacial abnormalities face numerous issues. A team of craniofacial specialists from many fields works together at the NJ Craniofacial Center to recognise the patient’s complex needs and offer the best possible care.
At NJ Craniofacial centre we cater to all your child’s craniofacial needs. In order to schedule a private consultation with us you can call our office or request an appointment online.
The answer to the question is no. It depends on one patient to another suffering from the underlying condition. In some cases, IQ is minorly affected while in general no such evidence has been found
The severity of craniosynostosis varies from minor to severe in each newborn kid. The majority of infants with craniosynostosis are overall healthy and live a normal life
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive method with outstanding outcomes used in such cases. The overall success rate of craniosynostosis is 95%
When it comes to skull deformities, there are a lot of terms floating around. Plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis are two joint cranial deformities. Plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis are two conditions that can affect the shape of a baby’s head. Plagiocephaly, also known as “flat head syndrome,” occurs when a baby’s head has a flattened area. Craniosynostosis happens when the bones in a baby’s skull fuse too early. Both conditions can cause your baby to have an abnormal head shape. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between these two conditions.
Plagiocephaly is a condition that can cause your baby’s head to have a flattened area. This can happen if your baby sleeps in the same position all the time, such as on their back. Plagiocephaly can also occur if your baby was born prematurely or has torticollis(abnormal posture), which is when the muscles in the neck are tight. Plagiocephaly is usually benign and doesn’t require treatment. Sometimes, your baby may need to wear a special helmet to help shape their head back to normal.Â
Craniosynostosis happens when the bones in your baby’s skull fuse too early. This prevents your baby’s brain from growing properly, which can cause your child to have an abnormal head shape. Craniosynostosis is a severe condition that requires treatment with surgery. Surgery is typically done within the first few months of life to allow for proper brain growth.Â
Craniosynostosis and Plagiocephaly are two conditions that can affect the development of a baby’s skull. Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the bones of the skull fuse too soon, resulting in an abnormal head shape. Plagiocephaly is a condition in which the head has an asymmetrical shape due to an abnormality in the growth of the bones of the skull. Both conditions can cause problems with brain development and lead to developmental delays. Symptoms of craniosynostosis include an abnormal head shape, seizures, sleep apnea, crossed eyes, and developmental delays. Symptoms of Plagiocephaly include an asymmetrical head shape, flattening of one side of the head, and facial asymmetry.Â
Craniosynostosis and Plagiocephaly are both treatable conditions. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in the skull fuse too early. This can cause problems with brain development and lead to a misshapen head.Â
 Plagiocephaly, often referred to as “flat head syndrome,” is a condition in which the infant’s head is flattened on one side. This can occur because of positioning in the womb or pressure on the head after birth. Both conditions can be treated with surgery. The type of plagiocephaly treatment that is right for your baby will depend on the severity of your baby’s Plagiocephaly. Your doctor will work with you to develop a plagiocephaly treatment plan for your baby. Also, Plagiocephaly in adults is a condition that various factors, including trauma to the head, tumors, and developmental disorders, can cause. Treatment for Plagiocephaly in adults will depend on the underlying cause.
Also Check – WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR THE NEWBORN’S HEAD SHAPE?
In some cases, Plagiocephaly can be treated with surgery. However, Plagiocephaly is not always treatable and may require lifelong management. If you have Plagiocephaly, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
In craniosynostosis, the surgeon will make an incision in the scalp and then carefully separate the fused bones. In Plagiocephaly, the surgeon will reshape the skull and remove any areas of bone pressing on the brain. After surgery, infants typically have a full recovery and go on to live healthy lives. Craniosynostosis treatment is generally performed when babies are between four and six months old. The goal of surgery is to release the fused sutures and allow the bones of the skull to grow normally. Surgery for craniosynostosis is complex, and it is essential to choose a pediatric surgeon with experience performing this type of surgery.
Your child’s health is our top priority. We strive to provide compassionate, personalized care that meets the needs of every patient we serve! If you are looking for treatment options in Plagiocephaly and Craniosynostosis then look no further than Nj Craniofacial Center – home of best-in-class surgical techniques on this cutting edge subject matter expert doctors who use them too ensure your little one receives only excellent service from usÂ
We understand how difficult it can be when faced with deciding whether or not something should happen, but rest assured knowing all opinions will change if there isn’t
The major differences between craniosynostosis and deformational plagiocephaly are as follows:
| Â Craniosynostosis | Â Plagiocephaly | |
| Â Head shape: | Â asymmetrical head | Â asymmetrical head |
| Â Results from: | Â internal events | Â external molding |
|  Fusion of cranial  Sutures: |  Premature fusion of cranial suture(s) |  Normal cranial sutures |
| Â Diagnosis: | Â Made with X-rays and CT scans | Â Usually made without x-rays and other imaging studies |
| Â Treatment: | Â Surgery | Â Positioning and/or helmets |
| Causes: | Unknown | May include back sleeping*, restrictive intrauterine environment, muscular torticollis, premature birth |
*Back sleeping is essential for your child’s safety. Do not put your child’s sleep on hold. Consult a craniofacial surgeon for treatment to help with Plagiocephaly.
Conclusion: Plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis are two different conditions that can cause abnormal head shapes. Plagiocephaly is typically caused by positioning in the womb or during infancy, while craniosynostosis is caused by early fusion of the skull bones. Craniosynostosis is more severe than Plagiocephaly because it can lead to problems with brain development. If you think your child may have either condition, it is essential to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
A newborn’s head is very soft and malleable, so it is not uncommon for the head to be misshapen. Typically, the head will round out on its own within the first few months. However, in some cases, the misshapen head may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as Flat Head Syndrome (FHS). FHS is characterized by an asymmetry of the head and can often be accompanied by plagiocephaly, which is a flattening of one side of the head.
If you are concerned that your newborn may have FHS, it is important to seek medical care. Your doctor will be able to assess your child and determine if further treatment is necessary. In some cases, a flat head helmet may be prescribed in order to correct the head shape. Let’s see What causes flat head syndrome? How Does a baby’s flat head correct itself? and How to fix a baby’s flat head without a helmet?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to FHS, including:
Positional Molding: This occurs when your baby spends extended periods of time in one position, such as when sleeping on their back. As the name suggests, this can cause the head to take on a certain shape.
Torticollis: Torticollis in babies is a condition where the neck muscles are tight, causing the head to tilt to one side. Babies with torticollis may also have difficulty moving their heads from side to side.
Prematurity: Premature babies are more likely to develop FHS because their skulls are softer than those of full-term babies. In addition, they often spend extended periods of time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they may be positioned in one spot for long periods of time.
In most cases, yes. As your baby grows and starts to spend more time upright, the head will round out on its own. However, there are some cases where intervention may be necessary. This is typically determined by your child’s age, the severity of flatness, and whether or not there are any associated conditions present.
There are a number of ways you can help prevent or treat FHS without resorting to a helmet, including:Â
Tummy Time: Spend some time each day letting your baby lie on their stomach while supervised. This will help strengthen their neck muscles and prevent positional molding.
Move Their Head During Feedings: When you’re feeding your baby, make sure to frequently move their head from side to side so that they don’t get used to always looking in one direction.
Position Them Upright: Whenever possible, position your baby upright rather than lying down flat. For example, you could hold them upright during feedings or put them in an infant seat that props them up slightly.
Note: Do not put pillows under your baby’s head, as this can increase the risk of suffocation.
The team at NJ Craniofacial Center are healthcare professionals with specialized knowledge and experience in treating plagiocephaly, or baby flat head syndrome. Our specialists can help parents of children suffering from plagiocephaly understand their condition and develop the best possible treatment plan for their baby’s individual needs. Call us now without any delay.
Conclusion:Â
A newborn’s head is very soft and malleable, so it is not uncommon for their heads to be misshapen. In most cases, the misshapen head will round out on its own within the first few months without intervention. However, in some cases, such as Flat Head Syndrome (FHS), further treatment may be necessary. Early intervention is key, so it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible if infant flat head syndrome is suspected.
Older children who have been recently diagnosed with craniosynostosis are not candidates for an endoscopic surgery. However, many children who we see as second opinions, or who had delayed diagnoses, do quite well with cranial reconstruction at an older age. Parents may have concerns about the scar on the scalp after an open surgery, but in our experience, the scar is really not very noticeable.
Please call 973-326-9000 and ask to schedule an appointment if your child has or may have craniosynostosis. We are happy to provide second opinions and we can accommodate telehealth visits as well.
Cephalo (head) hematoma (blood clot) is a blood clot related to a difficult delivery of a baby. This can happen with NORMAL vaginal deliveries. This situation happens when some blood vessels under the skin tear or pop open, causing a “contained” blood clot.
We see hundreds of babies with cephalohematomas every year, in our office. 99% of the blood clots “dissipate” or go away with time, gentle massage and warm compresses. We monitor these babies over a few months.
CALCIFIED cephalohematomas are calcified clots, that did NOT go away. ONLY if they are very large, disfiguring, or if they cause severe torticollis, head turning, or other problems, do we ever consider surgery.
For more information, check out online at www.njpni.com
From diagnosis to treatment, an expert at the New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute explains plagiocephaly
BY TATIANA SIKORSKYJ, APN, RNFA Published: June 23, 2022
Cranial Remolding helmet worn for the treatment of plagiocephaly. This 9 month old child is wearing the helmet while eating solid food and wearing a bib
What is plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly (sometimes called deformational plagiocephaly or positional plagiocephaly) is a common and treatable disorder in infants.
Plagiocephaly develops when an infant’s soft skull becomes flattened in one area due to prolonged pressure on that part of the head. Many babies develop plagiocephaly by sleeping regularly in one position. There are other types of plagiocephaly, some of which are caused by a serious condition called craniosynostosis. In craniosynostosis, the deformity is caused by premature closure of the fibrous joints (“sutures”) between the bones of the infant.
Treatment for plagiocephaly usually includes special exercises, physical therapy, varying sleep position or wearing corrective helmets.
Click here for the complete article – https://www.njfamily.com/the-common-infant-disorder-every-parent-should-know-about/
SAVE THE DATE!! – 11th Annual Gala 2022
Donating to the event helps in supporting
Kid Around the World!!
Craniofacial differences can have an impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of children around the world. We strive to provide children and their families the care and support they need to overcome these obstacles
Join us for a night filled with fun, great presentations, and your chance to win some great gift baskets, silent auction items or
50/50 raffle!
All donations help to support the NJ Craniofacial Center on their next mission trip!
Buy Tickets or Donate Here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nj-craniofacial-center-gala-tickets-299490091927?aff=erelexpmlt
NJPNI’s March newsletter is out! Check it out as we discuss nutrition and brain health – https://njpediatricneurosurgery.com/posts/news/march-2022-newsletter-national-nutrition-month/
Check out this article by Rosy C. Franklin, Ryan A. Behmer Hansen, Jean M. Pierce, Diomedes J. Tsitouras and Catherine A. Mazzola – “Broken Promises to the People of Newark: A Historical Review of the Newark Uprising, the Newark Agreements, and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Commitments to Newark” – https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/2117
To schedule a private consultation with NJ Craniofacial Center, please call our office or request an appointment online. We look forward to your visit.
131 Madison Avenue, Third Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960
