CraniosynostosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more sutures on a baby's head closes earlier than usual.
The skull of an infant or young child is made up of bony plates that are still growing. The borders at which these plates intersect are called sutures or suture lines. The sutures allow for growth of the skull. They normally close (fuse) by the time the child is 2 or 3 years old.
Early closing of a suture causes the baby to have an abnormally shaped head. This may limit brain growth.
Premature closure of sutures; Synostosis; Plagiocephaly; Scaphocephaly; Fontanelle - craniosynostosis; Soft spot - craniosynostosis
The cause of craniosynostosis is not known. Genes may play a role, but there is usually no family history of the condition. It may be caused by external pressure on a baby's head before birth. Abnormal development of the base of the skull and the membranes around the skull bones is believed to affect the movement and position of the bones as they grow.
In cases when this is passed down through families, it may occur with other health problems, such as seizures, decreased intelligence, and blindness. Genetic disorders commonly linked to craniosynostosis include Crouzon, Apert, Carpenter, Saethre-Chotzen, and Pfeiffer syndromes.
However, most children with craniosynostosis are otherwise healthy and have normal intelligence.
Symptoms depend on the type of craniosynostosis. They may include:
- No "soft spot" (fontanelle) on the newborn's skull
- A raised hard ridge along the affected sutures
- Unusual head shape
- Slow or no increase in the head size over time as the baby grows
Types of craniosynostosis are:
- Sagittal synostosis (scaphocephaly) is the most common type. It affects the main suture on the very top of the head. The early closing forces the head to grow long and narrow, instead of wide. Babies with this type tend to have a broad forehead. It is more common in boys than girls.
- Frontal plagiocephaly is the next most common type. It affects the suture that runs from ear to ear on the top of the head. It usually occurs on just one side, causing a flattened forehead, raised eyebrow, and prominent ear on that side. The baby's nose may also appear to be pulled toward that side. This is more common in girls than in boys.
- Metopic synostosis is a rare form that affects the suture close to the forehead. The child's head shape may be described as trigonocephaly, because the top of the head appears triangular, with a narrow or pointed forehead. It may range from mild to severe.
Surgery is usually needed. It is done while the baby is still an infant. The goals of surgery are:
- Relieve any pressure on the brain.
- Make sure there is enough room in the skull to allow the brain to properly grow.
- Improve the appearance of the child's head.
Cleft Craniofacial Center At Pediatric Plastics In Lawrenceville
Jesse A. Goldstein, MD, is a craniofacial plastic surgeon certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is chief of the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, director of the Cleft-Craniofacial Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is also program director of the Plastic Surgery Residency program and the Craniofacial Fellowship programs and an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Craniosynostosis, Metopic Ridge, Plagiocephaly, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft. Dr. Goldstein is board certified in American Board Of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Goldstein is currently accepting new patients.
Fogelson Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery - Children's Specialty Center Dallas
Alex Kane is a Plastic Surgeon practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Kane is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. He is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Craniosynostosis, Metopic Ridge, Lambdoid Synostosis, Craniectomy, and Osteotomy.
Pediatric Plastic Surgery In Lawrenceville
Joseph E. Losee, MD, is a pediatric plastic surgeon certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is the Dr. Ross H. Musgrave Endowed Chair of Pediatric Plastic Surgery and executive vice chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UPMC. Dr. Losee serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, and an Advisory Dean of Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is the co-chair of the UPMC Health System Physician Wellness Initiative. Dr. Losee received his medical degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He completed a residency in plastic surgery at the University of Rochester and a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.View Dr. Losee's full list of publications from PubMed. Dr. Losee is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Craniosynostosis, Plagiocephaly, Metopic Ridge, Bone Graft, and Osteotomy. Dr. Losee is board certified in American Board Of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Losee is currently accepting new patients.
How well a child does depends on:
- How many sutures are involved
- The child's overall health
Children with this condition who have surgery do well in most cases, especially when the condition is not associated with a genetic syndrome.
Craniosynostosis results in head deformity that can be severe and permanent if it is not corrected. Complications may include:
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Seizures
- Developmental delay
Contact your child's provider if your child has:
- Unusual head shape
- Problems with growth
- Unusual raised ridges on the skull
Summary: This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the role of pleth variability index (PVI) and perfusion index (PI) monitoring in intraoperative hemodynamic control among pediatric patients undergoing craniosynostosis surgery. Patients aged 0-6 years will be monitored intraoperatively using standard anesthesia monitoring together with PVI and PI measurements. Hemodynamic parameters, including...
Summary: FGF23 is the cornerstone of phosphate / calcium / vitamin D metabolism: it is synthesized mainly by osteocytes and acts as a phosphaturizing agent, inhibitor of dihydroxyvitamin D, and inhibitor of synthesis and secretion of PTH in most tissues. The specific role of FGF23 on bone has yet to be demonstrated. In osteoblasts, overexpression of FGF23 in vitro suppresses not only osteoblastic different...
Published Date: October 03, 2025
Published By: Mary Terrell, MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, Neonatologist, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Birth defects. Craniosynostosis. www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/about/craniosynostosis.html. Updated December 26, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2025.
Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA. Craniosynostosis: general. In: Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Deformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 29.
Mandela R, Bellew M, Chumas P, Nash H. Impact of surgery timing for craniosynostosis on neurodevelopmental outcomes: a systematic review. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2019;23(4):442-454. PMID: 30684935 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30684935/.
Trowbridge SK, Yang E, Yuskaitis CJ. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 631.