What is the condition called when two or more bones of the skull fuse prematurely?

The condition where two or more bones of the skull fuse prematurely is known as craniosynostosis. This occurs when the sutures, which are the fibrous joints connecting the bones of the skull, close too early during an infant's development. The early fusion restricts the growth of the skull and can lead to a misshapen head as the skull continues to grow in a compensatory manner in the areas where sutures are still open.

Craniosynostosis can impact brain development and overall head shape, often requiring surgical intervention to correct the shape of the skull and allow for normal brain growth. Understanding this condition is important in neonatal nursing as it can have significant implications for the health and developmental trajectory of affected infants. Other conditions listed, while related to head or bone issues, do not specifically involve the premature fusion of skull bones.