Comments on: Deformed skull of prehistoric child suggests that early humans cared for disabled children

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:16:45 +0000

Thank you Ed, we really appreciate your apology and also that you cared enough to edit the article almost instantly. I also join with Melanie by saying that this article really opens up our eyes, knowing that Craniosynostosis has been around so long.

So again I say thank you for editing so quickly and for your apology. I too hope that you will do an article on craniosynostosis.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:55:20 +0000

Thankyou Ed your appology is appreciated as is your editing. I applaud you for making corrections so quickly where in the past other publications have ignored request on correcting false information on articles written and didn’t so much as issue a small appology for misrepresenting craniosynostosis and positional plagiocephaly.
I also want to say thank you for sharing this find. It is interresting to me that craniosynostosis has been present since ancient times yet so many modern physicians are still ignoring warning signs and dismissing parents concerns.
Thank you again for correcting and appologizing I hope we will soon see an article on craniosynostosis and positional plagiocephaly.

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:28:07 +0000

Hi folks,

My sincere apologies for the distress that this article has caused. I have made changes above to address the points that you raised:

- I’ve removed the mention of mental retardation from the opening line.
- While the original text attributed the correct stat of 1 in 40,000 to lambdoid cases, I’ve added in a bit to reflect the higher prevalence of craniosynostosis in general.
- The second mention of mental retardation has been cut, but I’ve stuck in an extra sentence to clarify that according to the authors, this was an unusually severe case of craniosynostosis that was probably associated with similarly severe symptoms.

As a journalist, I frequently rail against incorrect information in science coverage, and as an employee of a medical charity, I’m all too aware of the consequences of misleading medical information on disease awareness. So I’m doubly embarrassed at the errors, and
I hope this addresses your concerns sufficiently.

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:12:00 +0000

Being the mother of a perfectly normal and well balanced left coronal cranio child I find it very difficult to read such inacurate information about craniosynostosis. Such statements could frighten the living daylights out of poor parents just discovering their child has cranio sending them into unbeleivable amounts of anguish that there son/daughter could be retarded in some way. Im only glad I didnt read this article before my son was diagnosed.
Before you go writing such articles please do some in depth research and get yout facts right. Craniosynostosis does not affect 1 in 40,000 it affects 1 in 2000.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:57:59 +0000

You just completely discredited this entire journal by printing such misleading information about craniosynostosis. Next time do some scientifice, fact based research first. Craniosynostosis does not cause retardation unless is remains uncorreced and there is intracranial pressure. And even then, it would be rare. Also, you stated that craniosynostosis occurs in 1 in 40,000 births. Not true. It occurs in 1 in 2,000 births. Perhaps Lamboid is 1 in 40,000 since it is much more rare. I highly doubt this child was a burden on his parents as you stated. He simply had a mishappen skull. In todays day…it is easily corrected with surgery.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:57:06 +0000

I join with the others in asking that you please research things thoroughly before publishing. Craniosynostosis, as all the others have pointed out is NOT, i repeat, NOT associated with mental retardation……you need to publish immediately a correction to the article above, as it is misleading and inaccurate. Thank you. Below you will find a link on what is Craniosynostosis………………borrowed from………http://www.craniosynostosis.info/

Craniosynostosis refers to the early (premature) fusion of the sutures of the bones of the skull. Premature fusing of the sutures restricts and distorts the growth of the skull. These cranial growth restrictions often results in increased cranial pressure growth which can cause vision problems and impede intellectual development. In addition, abnormal head shape is associated with low self-esteem and behavioral problems. Correction of these deformities can relieve cranial pressure and in the long-term, improve the child’s self-esteem.

The child’s head takes on a distinct form which depend on the fused suture (or sutures):

Premature fusion of the coronal sutures forces the skull to grow wide relative to its length (see brachycephaly).
Premature fusion of the sagittal suture forces the skull to grow long relative to its width (see scaphocephaly).
Premature fusion of the metopic suture (metopic craniosynostosis, also know as trigonocephaly) produces a narrow, triangular forehead with lateral pinching of the temples. (see ).
Premature fusion of one of the coronal or lambdoid sutures results in asymmetrical head shape with flattening (see plagiocephaly).
Premature fusion of both the coronal and sagittal sutures (oxycephaly) results in a an abnormally high conical head shape.
Premature fusion of the coronal, lambdoid and posterior sagittal sutures [a rare condition] results in a cloverleaf skull (also known as kleeblattschadel).
Craniosynostosis occurs in isolation but is also present in many syndromes, such as Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Saethre-Chotzen, Carpenters and Opitz-C (also known as Opitz Trigonocephaly) syndrome.

Incidence:

Diagnosis: A distorted head shape is not always the result of craniosynostosis. The diagnosis of craniosynostosis begins with an examination by a pediatrician, pediatric neurosurgeon or craniofacial surgeon. The initial examination involves questions about gestation and birth, in utero position, neck tightness and post-natal positioning (for example, sleeping position). The physical examination includes inspection of the infant’s head and may involve palpation (carefully feeling) of the child’s skull for suture ridges and soft spots (the fontanelles) as well as checking for neck tightness and other deformities. The physician may also request x-rays or computerized tomography (a CAT scan, a series of photographic images of the skull). These images provide the most reliable method for diagnosing premature suture fusion (craniosynostosis). In addition, the physician may make (or order) a series of measurements from the child’s face and head [more on cranial anthropometry]. These measurements will be used to assess severity and monitor treatment.

Treatment:
The treatment of craniosynostosis requires surgical correction. Please consult a pediatric neurosurgeon or a craniofacial surgeon to discuss treatment procedures.

Support Groups:

The Craniofacial Foundation of Arizona
Cranio Support (aka CranioChat)
Opitz Trigonocephaly Syndrome Family Network
CAPPS Kids
Craneosinostosis.org.es (en Español)
.

By: Janet

Janet — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:19:21 +0000

My daughter was born with Metopic synostosis. She met all her milestones before and after the surgery to correct her skull. I really feel that you need to do more research on craniosynostosis before making such statements as you did in the above article.

By: Mel

Mel — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:12:37 +0000

As many others have pointed out, I am saddened by the lack of research done on craniosynostosis. I was shocked to read that it is associated with mental retardation, especially since my son, being a single suture cranio kid, is no where near mentally challenged. The experts that treated him also provided no concern over possilbe delays. Although my sons cranio was surgically treated, there are many adults and children, that have uncorrected cranio that are leading perfectly normal lives with no signes of “special needs”. There are of course reported cases where inter cranial pressure, caused by the premature skull fusion can cause delays, but that is found more often with multiple suture fusions. It angers me to think that a site such as this would not take the time to research the condition more and not mis-inform it’s readers.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:31:37 +0000

Craniosynostosis is NOT synonymous with mental retardation. There are many adults in the world to day that are living with untreated craniosynostosis and live full and productive lives. It is wonderful to know that early man loved and cared for their children regardless of physical traits but it can not be said that this particular condition would have caused the child to be a burden upon it’s family. The child may certainly have looked a little different, but as I just met a 3 year old with uncorrected Lambdoid craniosynostosis 2 months ago who gave no evidence of any type of delay I disagree wholly with the assumption “special needs”. I am married to a sagittal craniosynostosis adult and mother to a perfectly developing one as well, both have had surgical correction. I would offer a hypothesis as to why this condition isn’t seen more frequently in anthropologic discoveries, yes it is a reasonably rare condition, 1 in 2000 to 1 in 40,000 depending on suture involvement… but these skulls don’t collapse properly to pass down the birth canal. Most likely the vast majority were never born and died in childbirth with their Mothers. So any condition with a congenital skull malformation would be an rare find.

By: craniokid myself

craniokid myself — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:13:57 +0000

As a mom born with craniosynostosis and i have a daughter with craniosynostosis and also a fan of anthropology, i want to say that the information in this article is very misleading and/or inaccurate. Craniosynostosis is not a detrimental disease in most cases. If there is enough room for the brain, then there would be no retardation factor. Issues arise when there is intercranial pressure. Reconstructive surgery for this condition has only evolved in modern times, so there have been many children in the past who have grown to adults and live normal healthy lives. I know many that have.
I highly suggest anyone reading this article to do your research. Also, causes of cranio are not just linked to trauma, rickets, or vitamin D deficiency, but also genetics and other miscelaneous factors. In very few cases, retardation MAY occur with syndromic craniosynostosis such as certain types of Pfeiffer’s syndrome. Also the occurance factor in modern time is 1 in 2000 infants, although lambdoid suture involvement is more rare.
Please do your research.

On a side note, i think the find is pretty awesome. What a rarity to find such a preserved item with this condition!