Annie's Cranio Story

At 3 months our beautiful baby girl Annie-Rose was diagnosed with a condition called Craniosynostosis.


Craniosynostosis is a condition where one or more of the sutures in an infants skull fuse prematurely. This then causes obscurities to the growth pattern of the skull. Because the skull can not grow where the suture is fused it then compensates by growing more in the parallel direction.


Annie-Rose has Left Coronal Synostosis. This can lead abnormal head shape, abnormal facial features and does not allow for enough room for the growing brain. Without surgical intervention, in addition to the issues above, Annie-Rose could suffer from visual impairments, impairment of mental development and ongoing facial disfigurement.


On March 12 2014, at the tender age of 9 months Annie-Rose is scheduled to have surgery called Cranio Vault Remodelling. Her Cranio Surgeon and neurosurgeon will remove her skull and eye socket and reconstruct the bones using dissolvable plates and screws in order to create facial symmetry and allow for correct brain growth. Our family will be travelling up to and staying in Brisbane for 6 nights whilst she has the surgery and recovers at the Mater hospital. Whilst this is the biggest hurdle we have to get over post op Annie-Rose will have ongoing appointments with her Cranio Surgeon and Neurosurgeon as well at CT Scans to ensure the surgery is successful and the skull continues to grow correctly.


This surgery is necessary for Annie-Rose to live a normal life, however unfortunately even with health insurance and medicare we will still be more than $7000 out of pocket. We are seeking donations to assist us with the cost of the surgery. Thank you for reading our story and we pray that Annie-Rose's surgery is successful and that her recovery is quick. Every little bit will help our family get through this difficult time. Thank you to all our family and friends who have helped us, offered help and who have sent, and continue to send thoughts and prayers.