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Touching

Early diagnosis is key

Dr. Kalina immediately referred Jesus’ parents to specialists at Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, who recommended surgery to separate Jesus’ fused skull bones.

If the skull can’t expand in one spot because of a closed suture, the growing brain will push the still-open sutures further apart. This can result in an abnormal skull shape if not corrected. And in cases where multiple sutures are closed, the brain may not have enough room to expand and developmental problems can occur. Jesus was fortunate to have only one prematurely closed suture.

“At first, we were scared because it was something affecting his head, and they’d need to open it up to fix it,” says Jesus’ father, Lazaro, “but we wanted him to look like other kids.”

Surgical success and a shiny helmet

A neurosurgeon and a craniofacial surgeon performed Jesus’ surgery at Gillette Children’s in October 2015. They separated the fused area in his skull, giving his brain room to grow and enabling his head and face to develop symmetrically. To provide support and help shape Jesus’ skull, they also inserted a plate that will dissolve over time.

Jesus took a tumble about a month later, so he began wearing a helmet to promote the proper skull shape and provide additional protection for an active toddler. Jesus wears it 24/7 except for 30-minute breaks every four hours. The fit is adjusted as his head grows.

Future looks bright

Today, Jesus is walking and exploring. Better yet, his head looks nearly symmetrical and his days of wearing a helmet may soon be over.

His prognosis is great, according to Dr. Kalina. “Jesus will have a normal head shape. He has no developmental problems and is growing like a weed,” she adds with a proud smile.

His parents are equally optimistic – and relieved. “We were worried about the surgery, but we knew for his future, he needed to have it,” SanJuanita says.