Separated sutures are abnormally wide spaces in the bony joints of the skull in an infant.
See also: Sutures - ridged
Alternative NamesSeparation of the sutures
ConsiderationsThe skull of an infant or young child is made up of bony plates that allow for growth. The borders at which these plates come together are called sutures or suture lines.
In an infant only a few minutes old, the pressure from delivery may compress the head, making the bony plates overlap at the sutures and creating a small ridge. This is normal in 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.
Diseases or conditions that cause an abnormal increase in the pressure within the head can cause the sutures to spread apart. These separated sutures can be a sign of pressure within the skull (increased intracranial pressure).
Separated sutures may be associated with bulging fontanelles. If intracranial pressure is increased a lot, there may be large veins over the scalp.
Common CausesContact your health care provider if:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This will including examining the fontanelles and scalp veins and feeling (palpating) the sutures to find out how far they are separated.
The health care provider will ask questions about the child's medical history and symptoms, including:
The following tests may be performed:
Although your health care provider keeps records from routine examinations, you might find it helpful to keep your own records of your child's development. You will want to bring these records to your health care provider's attention if you notice anything unusual.
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Separated sutures are abnormally wide spaces in the bony joints of the skull in an infant.
See also: Sutures - ridged
Alternative NamesSeparation of the sutures
ConsiderationsThe skull of an infant or young child is made up of bony plates that allow for growth. The borders at which these plates come together are called sutures or suture lines.
In an infant only a few minutes old, the pressure from delivery may compress the head, making the bony plates overlap at the sutures and creating a small ridge. This is normal in 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.
Diseases or conditions that cause an abnormal increase in the pressure within the head can cause the sutures to spread apart. These separated sutures can be a sign of pressure within the skull (increased intracranial pressure).
Separated sutures may be associated with bulging fontanelles. If intracranial pressure is increased a lot, there may be large veins over the scalp.
Common CausesContact your health care provider if:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This will including examining the fontanelles and scalp veins and feeling (palpating) the sutures to find out how far they are separated.
The health care provider will ask questions about the child's medical history and symptoms, including:
The following tests may be performed:
Although your health care provider keeps records from routine examinations, you might find it helpful to keep your own records of your child's development. You will want to bring these records to your health care provider's attention if you notice anything unusual.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/24/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
"sutures"
Normally until the sutures come out, which is around 10-14 days. Most cats take out their own sutures :0). You can also take off the cone and try putting a bitter apple cream around the suture area, not on the sutures but around it to keep the cat from licking at the suture area excessively. Best to do what your Veterinarian told you to do.
There is not a complete list of restaurants that use Tyson mechanically separated chicken. One restaurant that does use the meat is McDonalds.
DefinitionCranial sutures are fibrous bands of tissue that connect the bones of the skull.Alternative NamesFontanelles; Sutures - cranialInformationAn infant's skull is made up of six separate cranial bones (the frontal bone, the occipital bone, two parietal bones, and two temporal bones). These bones are held together by strong, fibrous, elastic tissues called cranial sutures.The spaces between the bones where the sutures are (sometimes known as "soft spots") are called fontanelles. They are a part of normal development. The cranial bones remain separate for about 12-18 months. They then grow together (fuse) as part of normal growth. They stay fused throughout adulthood.Two fontanelles are usually seen on a newborn's skull: one on the top in the middle, just forward of center; and one in the back in the middle. Like the sutures, fontanelles gradually become closed, solid, bony areas. The posterior fontanelle (in the back of the head) usually closes by the time an infant is 1 or 2 months old, or may already be closed at birth. The anterior fontanelle (at the top of the head) usually closes sometime between 9 months and 18 months.The sutures and fontanelles are needed for the infant's brain growth and development. During childbirth, the flexibility of the fibers allows the bones to overlap so the head can pass through the birth canal without pressing on and damaging the infant's brain.During infancy and childhood, the fibers are flexible. This allows the brain to grow quickly and protects the brain from minor impacts to the head (such as when the infant is learning to hold his head up, roll over, and sit up). Without flexible sutures and fontanelles, the child's brain would be constricted in the cranial bones and could not grow enough. The child would develop brain damage.Feeling the cranial sutures and fontanelles is one way that doctors and nurses follow the child's growth and development. They are able to assess the pressure inside the brain by feeling the tension of the fontanelles. The fontanelles should feel flat and firm. Bulging fontanelles may be a sign of increased pressure within the brain. In this case, doctors may need to use imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI scan. Surgery may be needed to relieve the increased pressure.Sunken, depressed fontanelles are sometimes a sign of dehydration.
It varies depending on the species.