Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplications and Subgroup IndicationsWhen to See a Doctor or Go to the HospitalFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications and Subgroup Indications
When to See a Doctor or Go to the Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Other possible symptoms include an asymmetrical face and a larger or smaller head than normal.
This article discusses the common and rare symptoms of craniosynostosis and its complications.
How Common Is Craniosynostosis?Craniosynostosis affects one in every 2,500 live births.
How Common Is Craniosynostosis?
Craniosynostosis affects one in every 2,500 live births.
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The most frequent symptom of craniosynostosis is a misshapen head. The shape of your little one’s head depends on which type of craniosynostosis they have and which sutures fuse:
Other typical symptoms of craniosynostosis include:
Rarer symptoms of craniosynostosis include:
The most common complication of craniosynostosis isincreased intracranial pressure.When the skull fuses prematurely and your little one’s brain continues to grow, the brain presses up against the skull. This causes increased pressure in the skull, which affects the brain and its development.
Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in newborns and infants include:
Overview of Elevated Intracranial Pressure
It’s important to reach out to your pediatrician as soon as you notice any symptoms of craniosynostosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to minimizing complications and increasing the likelihood of a successful treatment outcome.
A 2020 survey found that parents of babies with craniosynostosis often noticed that something was wrong before their medical team did. Parents voiced feelings of frustration that their doctor did not seem concerned about their child’s unusual head shape.If you feel like something is not right with your child, do not hesitate to continue asking questions of your medical team.
Summary
The most common symptom of craniosynostosis is a misshapen head. The exact shape that your child’s head takes depends on what type of craniosynostosis the child has and which sutures are affected.
You may also notice a disappearing or bulging soft spot,a hard ridge across the head, and an asymmetrical face. Talk to your child’s pediatrician as soon as you notice these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can ensure that this condition does not interfere with your child’s development.
Craniosynostosis affects about one in every 2,500 live births.Supporting your child during the diagnosis and treatment period is overwhelming for any parent. It may be helpful to remember that craniosynostosis is usually treatable with surgery. Stay in close contact with your medical team and consider reaching out to a support group or online community.
Who is at risk of craniosynostosis?
How is craniosynostosis diagnosed?
When can craniosynostosis be detected?
Depending on how severe the skull malformation is, craniosynostosis can be diagnosed anytime during your child’s first year of life. Some children are diagnosed at birth, while others are diagnosed during a well-child exam a few months later.
Is the surgery for craniosynostosis brain surgery?
No, the surgery for craniosynostosis involves moving the skull bones into a more circular shape, with the goal of providing room for the brain to grow. The surgeon will not perform surgery directly on the brain.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis - Recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018 May 20;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083John Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families' experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 24;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis - Recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018 May 20;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083John Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families' experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 24;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis - Recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018 May 20;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083John Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families' experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 24;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about craniosynostosis.
Kajdic N, Spazzapan P, Velnar T.Craniosynostosis - Recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment.Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018 May 20;18(2):110-116. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2017.2083
John Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.
Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006
MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.
Kuta V, Curry L, McNeely D, Walling S, Chorney J, Bezuhly M.Understanding families' experiences following a diagnosis of non-syndromic craniosynostosis: a qualitative study.BMJ Open. 2020 Sep 24;10(9):e033403. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033403
Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.
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