Craniotabes Overview
Learn About Craniotabes
Craniotabes is a softening of the skull bones.
Congenital cranial osteoporosis
Craniotabes can be a normal finding in infants, particularly premature infants. It may occur in up to one third of all newborn infants.
Craniotabes is harmless in a newborn, unless it is associated with other problems. These can include rickets and brittle bones (osteogenesis imperfecta).
Symptoms include:
- Soft areas of the skull, especially along the suture line
- Soft areas pop in and out
- Bones may feel soft, flexible, and thin along the suture lines
Craniotabes that are not associated with other conditions are not treated.
Ashraf Soliman practices in Doha, Qatar. Mr. Soliman is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Craniotabes. His top areas of expertise are Beta Thalassemia, Thalassemia, Anemia, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Orchiectomy.
Holy Cross Hospital Inc
Lise Lambert is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Lambert is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniotabes. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Myelitis, AIDS Dysmorphic Syndrome, and AIDS Dementia Complex. Dr. Lambert is currently accepting new patients.
Pedro Ortega is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Winter Park, Florida. Dr. Ortega is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniotabes. His top areas of expertise are Osteomalacia, High Cholesterol, Craniotabes, and Vitamin D Deficiency. Dr. Ortega is currently accepting new patients.
Complete healing is expected.
There are no complications in most cases.
This problem is most often found when the baby is examined during a well-baby check. Contact your provider if you notice that your child has signs of craniotabes (to check for other problems).
Most of the time, craniotabes is not preventable. Exceptions are when the condition is associated with rickets and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Published Date: January 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Escobar O, Gurtunca N, Viswanathan P, Witchel SF. Pediatric endocrinology. In: Zitelli, BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.
Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA. Vertex craniotabes. In: Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Deformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 36.
Greenbaum LA. Vitamin D deficiency (rickets) and excess. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 69.