Hunter Metzgar sits proudly next to the 3 helmets he wore over the past 9 months. At 1 year adjusted (age of a premature baby based on their due date, not birthdate), Hunter has officially finished treatment for craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of bones in the skull.
Hunter Metzger displays the 3 helmets he wore for 275 days to correct his craniosynostosis, the premature fusing of bones in the skull. Because he is a quickly growing baby, he outgrew his helmet twice during his treatment.
Hunter is no stranger to overcoming obstacles and meeting goals. He was born at a mere 23-week gestation with his twin brother, Ryder, at only 1.3 pounds and had to fight from the start. After losing his brother soon after birth, Hunter was given only a 20-25% chance of surviving.
Hunter grabs onto mom’s hand, showing his strength and letting her know, “hey, I got this.”
The first 4 months of Hunter’s life was spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He developed a grade 2 brain bleed as well as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Later in his NICU stay, after conquering both the bleed and PDA, it was discovered that Hunter also had 3 hernias in need of repair. Hunter and his family had an uphill battle to face.
Little Hunter enjoys some of his first snuggles with his parents. Born at only 23 weeks gestation, Hunter weighed a mere 1.3 pounds.
While living under a microscope with his parents paying attention to every detail, Hunter’s growth began sparking concern. His head was not growing at the same rate as his body, making him look disproportionate. And then when his skull did grow, it was growing only lengthwise.
In addition to the craniosynostosis, Hunter faced multiple medical hurdles, including a brain bleed, PDA and hernias.
Doctors also began to notice, formally diagnosing him with craniosynostosis. The sagittal suture — the space where 2 major bone plates in the skull meet that extends from the front of the head to the back — had prematurely fused. This caused the head to grow rapidly in other directions to make up for the space lost by the fusing.
The happy family enjoying Hunter’s first Christmas. “Lil’ Man” began wearing his helmet a few weeks before the holidays.
The family was handed 2 options: have a major surgery at 1 year adjusted, or have a less extensive surgery at 2 months adjusted and then wear a head-shaping helmet. They chose the latter, and entrusted their baby in the hands of Pediatric Craniofacial Surgeon Dr. Niyant Patel and Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Tsulee Chen.
Hunter is all smiles for the camera! The happy boy took on his craniosynostosis treatment with a sunny disposition.
After a successful operation, Hunter was fitted for his first helmet. And then his second. And then his third. The once tiny preemie was growing like a weed resulting in the need to continually size up helmets. Dr. Patel and staff from the Hanger Clinic said that is the most helmets they had seen a baby go through in that amount of time.
Today, the 23-weeker is growing and enjoying toddlerhood. His rocky start has only made him stronger, and he’s ready to take on what’s next, helmet-free.
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