When does cranial suture closure occur after birth?
Sep 09, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guan Yanlei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, most people experience complete closure of cranial sutures between the ages of 30 and 50. However, in individuals with slower development, closure may occur later, even as late as age 70, and in a small number of individuals, cranial sutures may never fully close. Premature closure of cranial sutures may lead to facial or skull base deformities, reduce cranial cavity volume, and impair normal brain development.
The cranial sutures may close between the ages of 30 and 50, although in some individuals closure may occur later, or the sutures may even remain open throughout life.
Cranial sutures typically refer to the fibrous joints between skull bones, connected by small amounts of connective tissue. Normally, these sutures begin developing around one year after birth. By about two years of age, fibrous unions start forming between the bones; the metopic suture and parts of the sagittal suture begin to close early. The presence of open sutures during childhood facilitates brain growth and development and also helps protect the brain by absorbing impact forces, thereby reducing the risk of brain injury following head trauma. In most people, the sutures fully close between 30 and 50 years of age. However, in individuals with slower development, closure may be delayed until around 70 years of age, and in a small number of people, the sutures may never fully close.
If cranial sutures close prematurely, it may lead to facial or cranial base deformities, such as brachycephaly or scaphocephaly, reduce cranial cavity volume, impair normal brain development, and potentially cause neurological symptoms or signs.
