Heartwarming moment a toddler born with a skull too small for his brain walks for the first time

This is the heartwarming moment a toddler with a rare condition takes his first steps after having skull surgery.

Two-year-old Branson Figeuroa was born with a birth defect called craniosynostosis, which occurs when the skull’s bones fuse before the brain is fully formed.

Doctors told his mother, Heather, from Nottingham, New Hampshire, that her son needed surgery because the brain was right up against his skull, creating a dangerous pressure build-up.

If he didn’t have the operation, he could experience a deformed head, seizures and even developmental delays. 

Last week, Branson underwent cranial vault remodeling surgery to correct his abnormal head shape and gives his brain room in the skull to grow. 

Heather captured a video, that has since gone viral, of Branson toddling down the halls of the hospital just two days post-operation, laughing and smiling.

Branson was born with a birth defect called craniosynostosis, which occurs when the skull's bones fuse before the brain is fully formed. Pictured: Branson walking after surgery

This is the heartwarming moment two-year-old Branson Figueroa walked for the first time following skull surgery (left and right). Branson was born with a birth defect called craniosynostosis, which occurs when the skull’s bones fuse before the brain is fully formed

Branson's mother was told by doctors that he needed surgery because his brain was pressing against his skull. Pictured: Branson in the hospital

Branson’s mother was told by doctors that he needed surgery because his brain was pressing against his skull. Pictured: Branson in the hospital 

In the video, Branson is seen walking down the halls of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, accompanied by a nurse.

‘I’m right in front of you,’ his mother says off-camera. ‘You’re doing so good! Good boy!’

Normally, an infant’s skull has several bone plates separated by sutures, which are rigid joints. As a baby grows, the sutures close and a single piece of bone forms.

But in those with craniosynostosis, the sutures close too early, which causes problems with normal brain and skull growth.

In addition to changes of the shape of the head and face, sufferers can also experience sleepiness, increased irritability, seizures and vomiting.     

The condition occurs in one out of every 2,000 live births and more so in males than females, according to Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

Surgery is often the recommended treatment and, typically, before the child is one year old when the bones are still soft and are easy to remodel. 

Branson’s mother, Heather, said she knew something was wrong with her son because he would often wake up crying in the middle of the night. 

Worried, she took him to see his doctor, who – after examining Branson – referred him to get a CT scan.

The results showed that he had craniosynostosis. 

Heather went to different doctors to ask opinions of how to treat Branson. Some said he needed surgery immediately, while others said to wait until he’s older. 

‘I felt in my gut that he needed the help now,’ she told DailyMail.com. 

Branson has a seven-hour cranial vault remodeling surgery to remodel the shape of his skull so his brain can properly grow. Pictured: Branson with his father after surgery

Two days later, Branson walked down the halls of Vermont Medical Center. Pictured: Branson walking after surgery

Branson has a seven-hour cranial vault remodeling surgery to remodel the shape of his skull so his brain can properly grow. Two days later, Branson walked down the halls of Vermont Medical Center. Pictured: Branson with his father after surgery, left, and walking after surgery, right

Four days after his surgery, doctors discharged Branson (pictured) and allowed him to go home

Four days after his surgery, doctors discharged Branson (pictured) and allowed him to go home

Complications following such a surgery include fevers, vomiting, a lack of alertness and redness and swelling by the incision areas.

Heather visited several hospitals before deciding on the Vermont Medical Center and scheduling his surgery. 

‘I had a hard time with deciding if what I was doing was right,’ she said.

‘But with support from online forums and Facebook groups of families with children with craniosynostosis, I knew it was the right thing.’

On Wednesday, Branson underwent a seven-hour cranial vault remodeling surgery to reshape the bones of his skull.

Just two days later, with a bandage wrapped around his head, and wearing a blue and red onesie, video shows the toddler taking his first steps.

Heather shared the video to Facebook with a caption that read: ‘[This] is him 2 days post op walking for the first time since surgery!! God is so good! He’s our cranio warrior!’

Four days after the surgery, doctors cleared Branson to go home.

‘He should be totally okay now,’ Heather said. ‘He just [has] to go back to doctors for checkups but he should live a normal life and grow normally.’ 

She says that she shared this video to help raise awareness of craniosynostosis and to inspire other families dealing with similar conditions. 

  • For craniosynostosis support, please visit Cranio Care Bears by clicking here.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk