Final answer:
A condition called craniosynostosis, involving the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, is likely responsible for an infant presenting with abnormally wide suture lines.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an infant presents with abnormally wide suture lines, this could be indicative of a health condition known as craniosynostosis. This condition involves the premature fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures, the fibrous connective tissue joints between the bones of the skull.
Normally, sutures allow the skull to expand as the brain grows, which is especially important during infancy. However, in craniosynostosis, these sutures fuse too early, affecting normal skull and brain development. The condition can be categorized as either primary, involving the early fusion of one suture, or complex, involving several. The former may lead to a compensatory enlargement in other areas of the skull, as seen with scaphocephaly, a condition where the head becomes elongated and narrow.
The causative factors behind craniosynostosis include defects in the ossification process or the failure of the brain to enlarge properly. Genetic factors also play a role, though the specific underlying causes are not completely understood. It is a relatively common condition, occurring in about 1 in 2000 births. Depending on the sutures affected and the severity, the condition can lead to significant deformities and potential developmental issues.