Learning your child needs infant brain surgery can understandably cause nervous or anxious feelings. That is why we want to equip you with all the information you need to know to help you cope with these feelings, why your child may need this surgery, and what happens during it.

An Overview of Infant Brain Surgery: What Parents Need to Know

Reasons for infant brain surgery

The primary aim of infant brain surgery is to address a condition that may inhibit the child's development or growth. Common brain or developmental conditions include:

Brain tumors

There are many types of brain tumors that break up into two main categories: benign and malignant (cancerous). A brain tumor is an abnormal tissue growth in the brain cells. It can impact a child's digestive system, emotions, vision, cognitive function, motor skills, and respiratory system. Therefore, even if benign, infant brain surgery is necessary for removal.

Craniosynostosis

According to the Mayo Clinic, the soft spot on top of a baby's head disappears around 18 months to two years of age, and the one in the back does so around three months. Their disappearance results from the skull plates fusing together over the top of the brain and the flexible material called sutures. If these plates fuse too soon, the child's brain does not have room to develop and grow, causing the head to become misshapen. The pressure on the brain can also inhibit proper brain growth and development.

Cerebral palsy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, defines cerebral palsy as a condition that causes muscle weakness or function. It results from abnormal brain development or damage.

Epilepsy

If scar tissue, tumors, cysts, or lesions are present in the brain, epilepsy can result. Epilepsy causes frequent seizures and the loss of motor skills during these episodes. Frequent seizures can cause developmental delays.

Hydrocephalus

While the condition has many possible causes, hydrocephalus is defined as having too much fluid build up in the brain. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this condition can develop in the womb or after birth.

Types of infant brain surgery

While there are various types of infant brain surgery, the two most common types are craniotomy and decompression craniectomy. A craniotomy is the most common type of infant brain surgery for children with a tumor. During the procedure, the child will placed under anesthesia, so they will be asleep throughout the process. If necessary, the neurosurgeon will shave a small part of the head to create a clear path to the access site. They will then create an incision and remove part of the skull before removing as much of the tumor or correcting as much damaged tissue as possible. They will close the wound with sutures or a metal clip to finish.

Decompression craniectomies are primarily for babies whose brains do not have enough room to grow, or fluid is present. They involve removing a large piece of the skull and opening the underlying dura to allow the brain to expand. The child will feel no pain, as they will be asleep during the procedure.

What to expect during recovery

Immediately following infant brain surgery, the child will be sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU), a standard procedure for any infant undergoing extensive surgery. They will remain there for a few days after surgery. Parents will be allowed to see their child during visiting hours, which will be given during the consultation. In the meantime, parents will receive proper care and medication instructions for the child once they return home. The team will also review signs indicating further medical care and follow-up appointments.

Call us for more information

Infant brain surgery is available to give your child a fighting chance during their developmental years. Contact our office for more information to see how we can help. Our team is here to assist you in any way possible during this time.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drloudonpediatricneurosurgery.com or call Dr. William G. Loudon, Pediatric Neurosurgery at (714) 677-9463 for an appointment in our Orange office.

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