Pitfalls for the pediatrician: Positional molding or craniosynostosis?

Abnormal head morphology is common among infants and often leads parents to ask their pediatricians for guidance. While the vast majority of such children have positional molding, early diagnosis and referral for surgical evaluation are important in obtaining the best possible results for children who are affected by craniosynostosis. While the primary goal of such treatment is enhancement of craniofacial cosmesis, surgical correction may also promote normal psychosocial development and prevent adverse neurobehavioral sequelae secondary to increased intracranial pressure or impaired cerebral growth. The coordination of a multidisciplinary team in the setting of a center experienced in the management of craniosynostosis will assure the best possible results for each patient.