Michael was a large baby, and when he was born the doctors had to use a vacuum extractor to assist in getting him out of the birth canal. That’s why, when his parents noticed that his head seemed misshapen, they assumed it was just a side effect of his birthday. Eventually they noticed that the back of his head wasn’t shifting, and his head kept its oblong shape. When he was two months old it was confirmed that he had severe Sagittal craniosynostosis, a disorder in which the bones of the skull fuse together prematurely and abnormally (from front to back). When left untreated, the bones not only cause the head to be misshapen but can also put pressure on the brain, potentially keeping it from growing normally.

After being referred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Michael was seen by Dr. Pearson and Dr. Drapeau, who confirmed the original diagnosis. Michael’s family had a couple of treatment options to choose from and decided on the minimally invasive surgery involving the placement of stainless-steel springs which allow the brain more room to grow and also help improve the shape of the skull. Nomiki, Michael’s mom, was amazed. “The first surgery (in April) went so smoothly and much faster than expected; the difference in his head shape was amazing.” Michael had a check-up once a month so the doctors could check his scar and answer any questions his parents might have, and his springs were removed in August in a second surgery that was brief and done as an outpatient procedure. Follow-ups are planned for every six months. Nomiki says, “Everything’s going great! We were incredibly pleased with the care of our son. Dr. Pearson is awesome: he’s so friendly, smiley, and intelligent. He took such wonderful care of our son.”

She adds, “He has a three-year-old sister and we thought SHE was wild, but we were wrong! He climbs literally everything. He gets into so much mischief.” That mischievous nature includes chasing his big sister and climbing into the crate with the family’s two dogs…and laughing a lot while he does it. Michael has a great spirit and that’s just what we like to see: a kid who cannot be stopped!

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• Name: Michael P.Michael P
• Condition(s): Craniosynostosis
• Age at Treatment: 2 months
• Age Today: 11/29/20185 Years

Michael was a large baby, and when he was born the doctors had to use a vacuum extractor to assist in getting him out of the birth canal. That’s why, when his parents noticed that his head seemed misshapen, they assumed it was just a side effect of his birthday. Eventually they noticed that the back of his head wasn’t shifting, and his head kept its oblong shape. When he was two months old it was confirmed that he had severe Sagittal craniosynostosis, a disorder in which the bones of the skull fuse together prematurely and abnormally (from front to back). When left untreated, the bones not only cause the head to be misshapen but can also put pressure on the brain, potentially keeping it from growing normally.

After being referred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Michael was seen by Dr. Pearson and Dr. Drapeau, who confirmed the original diagnosis. Michael’s family had a couple of treatment options to choose from and decided on the minimally invasive surgery involving the placement of stainless-steel springs which allow the brain more room to grow and also help improve the shape of the skull. Nomiki, Michael’s mom, was amazed. “The first surgery (in April) went so smoothly and much faster than expected; the difference in his head shape was amazing.” Michael had a check-up once a month so the doctors could check his scar and answer any questions his parents might have, and his springs were removed in August in a second surgery that was brief and done as an outpatient procedure. Follow-ups are planned for every six months. Nomiki says, “Everything’s going great! We were incredibly pleased with the care of our son. Dr. Pearson is awesome: he’s so friendly, smiley, and intelligent. He took such wonderful care of our son.”

She adds, “He has a three-year-old sister and we thought SHE was wild, but we were wrong! He climbs literally everything. He gets into so much mischief.” That mischievous nature includes chasing his big sister and climbing into the crate with the family’s two dogs…and laughing a lot while he does it. Michael has a great spirit and that’s just what we like to see: a kid who cannot be stopped!