National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Craniosynostosis


Other Names:
Craniostenosis; CSO
Categories:
Craniosynostosis is the premature closure of one or more of the joints that connect the bones of a baby's skull (cranial sutures). Normally, the bones remain separate until about age 2, while the brain is growing. They then fuse together and stay connected throughout life. The closure is premature when it occurs before brain growth is complete.[1][2][3]

Symptoms and severity vary depending on how many sutures close prematurely. For example, if only one closes prematurely (which is most common), brain growth may continue in other parts of the skull, leading only to an abnormally-shaped skull and no other health problems or complications. If multiple sutures close prematurely, brain growth can be restricted. This can lead to increased pressure in the skull, impaired brain development, seizures, blindness, and/or intellectual disability.[1][3]

Craniosynostosis may occur as a single abnormality (isolated craniosynostosis) or it may occur as one feature of one of many syndromes. Most cases of isolated craniosynostosis occur randomly (sporadically) and have no known cause. In some cases, isolated craniosynostosis is due to a mutation in any of several genes, with autosomal dominant inheritance. When craniosynostosis is a feature of a larger syndrome (syndromic craniosynostosis), the cause and inheritance pattern depend on the syndrome the person has. However, most syndromic causes of craniosynostosis are autosomal dominant. Craniosynostosis can also be associated with a metabolic disease such as rickets, or hyperthyroidism.[1][3]

Treatment for craniosynostosis depends on the severity in each child and may involve surgery in infancy to relieve pressure within the skull, allow for brain growth, and improve the appearance of the shape of the head.[1][4] However, not all children with craniosynostosis will need surgery.[3] The long-term outlook depends on how many sutures are involved and whether the child has a larger syndrome or other health problems.[1][4] Children who have surgery and are otherwise healthy generally do not experience long-term complications, especially when only one suture is involved.[1][4][5]
Last updated: 2/27/2018

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Craniosynostosis 0001363
Oxycephaly 0000263
Scaphocephaly 0030799
Turricephaly
Tall shaped skull
Tower skull shape
[ more ] 		0000262
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Craniosynostosis that involves only one suture and is an isolated abnormality typically is not inherited, occurring sporadically in people with no family history of craniosynostosis.[6] More rarely, isolated craniosynostosis is caused by a mutation in any of several genes, with autosomal dominant inheritance.[7]

In contrast, craniosynostosis that involves multiple sutures is more often one feature of a genetic syndrome with additional abnormalities that may affect multiple parts of the body.[6] Most of the genetic syndromes that are associated with craniosynostosis also have autosomal dominant inheritance.[3] However, they are often caused by a new (de novo) mutation in a person, rather than inherited from a parent with the syndrome. In either case, a person with an autosomal dominant syndrome has a 50% chance to pass the syndrome on to each of his/her children.

Craniosynostosis has been described in more than 150 different syndromes, but those most frequently associated with craniosynostosis include Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, Carpenter syndrome (which is autosomal recessive), and Saethre-Chotzen syndrome.[8][9]
Last updated: 2/27/2018

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • The Centers for Mendelian Genomics program is working to discover the causes of rare genetic disorders. For more information about applying to the research study, please visit their website.
  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Craniosynostosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Craniosynostosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I had craniosynostosis and now my daughter has this disorder. I'd like to know more about the genetics involved with this condition. See answer


  1. Craniosynostosis Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). May 25, 2017; https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Craniosynostosis-Information-Page.
  2. Craniosynostosis. Mayo Clinic. August 4, 2017; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/craniosynostosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354513.
  3. Primary Craniosynostosis. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2017; https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/primary-craniosynostosis/.
  4. Craniosynostosis. MedlinePlus. November 3, 2015; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001590.htm.
  5. Sheth RD. Pediatric Craniosynostosis. Medscape Reference. October 26, 2017; https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1175957-overview.
  6. Buchanan EP, Hollier, Jr. LH. Overview of craniosynostosis. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; April 11, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-craniosynostosis.
  7. O'Neill MJF. CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS 1; CRS1. OMIM. July 24, 2013; http://www.omim.org/entry/123100.
  8. Buchanan EP, Xue Y, Xue AS, Olshinka A, Lam S. Multidisciplinary care of craniosynostosis. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. July 6, 2017; 2017(10):263—270. https://www.dovepress.com/multidisciplinary-care-of-craniosynostosis-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH.
  9. Hollier LH. Craniosynostosis syndromes. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; October 13, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/craniosynostosis-syndromes.