Craniosynostosis

Alternative names:

premature closure of sutures

Definition:

The early closure of the bony sutures in an infant's head, preventing further growth of the skull.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of idiopathic craniosynostosis is unknown. Craniosynostosis can also occur with some inherited disorders.

In a normal infant's head, the sutures mark the boundaries between the bony plates that make up the skull. Premature closure of sutures stops bony growth and results in deformity of the skull. The shape of the deformity is determined by which sutures are involved. If the sagittal suture (the suture running from the front to back of the head) closes, the head develops a long, narrow appearance. If the coronal suture (running across the top of the head roughly from ear to ear) closes, it results in severe deformity of the head and may affect the appearance of the face and cause visual abnormalities.

Closure of the sagittal suture is more common in boys. Closure of the coronal suture is often associated with genetic syndromes.