Widening of the Cranial Sutures

Abstract
An increase in the width of the cranial sutures is a common manifestation of increased intracranial pressure in infants and children. However, separation of the sutures has been observed during treatment for “failure to thrive” in three children who had no signs or symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. The clinical evaluation and course of each patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria outlined by Barbero and Shaheen for the clinical syndrome of growth failure not secondary to organic causes (1). While in the hospital, the patients responded rapidly to emotional support and proper nutrition. Marked acceleration in growth and social and emotional development occurred during their hospital stay, and at this time the cranial sutures were noted radiographically to widen. Deprivation dwarfism or emotional failure to thrive occurs in children who have experienced emotional and psychological deprivation (4). As described by Barbero and Shaheen, the syndrome is characterized by: “(1) weight below the 3rd p...