Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of CraniosynostosisMetopic Craniosynostosis SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Craniosynostosis
Metopic Craniosynostosis Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Metopic craniosynostosis can range from mild to serious, and may cause long-term complications. The cause is unclear, but the condition may be associated with a genetic disorder. Treatment for metopic craniosynostosis almost always requires surgery to correct the skull’s shape.
Fly View Productions / Getty Images
Metopic craniosynostosis is a rare type of craniosynostosis. There are other types of craniosynostosis, including:
Of all types of craniosynostosis, children with metopic craniosynostosis are at the highest risk of having neurodevelopmental problems. These delays may be noticeable right away or may not show up until a child starts school.
Metopic craniosynostosis causes the head to take a triangular shape, with the narrow point at the front and the broad side at the back. The front of the head will appear narrow, and the eyes will look close together. This triangular shape to the skull is known as trigonocephaly.
You may also notice aprominent ridgeacross your child’s forehead, while the back of their head appears flat.
In addition to physical symptoms, metopic synostosis is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays.
Common symptoms of metopic craniosynostosis include:
Rare symptoms may include:
Risk factors associated with craniosynostosis include:
Metopic craniosynostosis is sometimes a symptom of a genetic disorder. For example, C syndrome, also known as Opitz trigonocephaly syndrome, causes the fusion of the metopic suture, leading to metopic craniosynostosis.
Congenital Conditions and Diseases
Metopic synostosis is often diagnosed at birth, but may not be detected until later on in your child’s first year. Your doctor can diagnose metopic craniosynostosis with a physical exam, and may order a computed tomography (CT) scan to confirm the diagnosis.
During the physical exam, your doctor will carefully inspect your child’s head and feel for a hard, bony ridge along the metopic suture. Your doctor will also feel your child’s soft spot, or fontanel, on the top of their head. Studies have found that the anterior fontanel closes in 55% of metopic craniosynostosis cases.
Your doctor will also ask detailed questions about your family history, pregnancy, and delivery. It may be helpful to keep a list of any family members who have been diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a skull malformation, or a genetic disorder.
A Misshapen Head Does Not Always Mean Craniosynostosis
If your doctor suspects that your child’s craniosynostosis is part of a genetic disorder, they will refer you for further testing.
Metopic craniosynostosis causes the skull to form a triangular shape and needs to be treated with surgery. There are two surgical treatment options for craniosynostosis: endoscopic craniosynostosis surgery and calvarial vault remodeling.
Timeline
Metopic craniosynostosis is usually diagnosed at birth or shortly afterward. Once diagnosed, your doctor will discuss a treatment timeline with you. Surgery will most likely occur shortly after your little one turns 6 months old.
After surgery, a typical schedule for follow-up appointments is as follows:
Of all types of craniosynostosis, children with metopic craniosynostosis are at the highest risk of having developmental delays. They may be noticeable right away or may not show up until a child starts school.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for treatment success. When metopic craniosynostosis is left untreated, babies can experience increased intracranial pressure and long-term complications, including:
Metopic craniosynostosis is an overwhelming diagnosis for any parent to hear, and it is vital to find ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty of caring for an ill child. Studies have found that having a child with craniosynostosis is very stressful for parents, especially when the skull malformation is noticeable to others.
There are concrete steps parents can take to relieve some of the stress of caring for a child with craniosynostosis. Because it can be difficult to remember all the information shared at medical appointments, take notes each time you meet with your doctor. It may be helpful to write down your questions ahead of time.
Most of the parents surveyed in a 2020 study said that they were very interested in connecting with other families dealing with the same diagnosis in their child. Talk with your medical team about how to find a local support group or online community.
Summary
What is metopic craniosynostosis?
How is surgery done for metopic craniosynostosis?
When should you see the doctor for metopic craniosynostosis?
How common is metopic craniosynostosis surgery?
Most babies with metopic craniosynostosis need surgery to correct the condition. Because the triangular shape of the skull does not allow for brain growth, it is important to correct the skull’s shape with surgery. Surgery is typically recommended after a child turns 6 months old.
A Word From Verywell
This is a scary diagnosis for parents to hear. It’s helpful to remember that metopic craniosynostosis is treatable with surgery. It will be helpful to stay in close contact with your medical team and to connect with a support system during this process.
13 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.Craniosynostosis.Boston Children’s Hospital.Metopic synostosis trigonocephaly.van der Meulen J.Metopic synostosis.Childs Nerv Syst. 2012 Sep;28(9):1359-67. doi:10.1007/s00381-012-1803-zKajdic 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.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Cunningham ML, Browne ML, Dosiou C, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Apr;167A(4):701-7. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008 Feb;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Panigrahi I.Craniosynostosis genetics: The mystery unfolds.Indian J Hum Genet. 2011 May;17(2):48-53. doi:10.4103/0971-6866.86171Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers' and fathers' reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Sep;48(5):509-18. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta 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
13 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.Craniosynostosis.Boston Children’s Hospital.Metopic synostosis trigonocephaly.van der Meulen J.Metopic synostosis.Childs Nerv Syst. 2012 Sep;28(9):1359-67. doi:10.1007/s00381-012-1803-zKajdic 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.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Cunningham ML, Browne ML, Dosiou C, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Apr;167A(4):701-7. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008 Feb;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Panigrahi I.Craniosynostosis genetics: The mystery unfolds.Indian J Hum Genet. 2011 May;17(2):48-53. doi:10.4103/0971-6866.86171Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers' and fathers' reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Sep;48(5):509-18. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta 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
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.Craniosynostosis.Boston Children’s Hospital.Metopic synostosis trigonocephaly.van der Meulen J.Metopic synostosis.Childs Nerv Syst. 2012 Sep;28(9):1359-67. doi:10.1007/s00381-012-1803-zKajdic 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.2017.2083Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Cunningham ML, Browne ML, Dosiou C, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Apr;167A(4):701-7. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008 Feb;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426Panigrahi I.Craniosynostosis genetics: The mystery unfolds.Indian J Hum Genet. 2011 May;17(2):48-53. doi:10.4103/0971-6866.86171Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis.Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers' and fathers' reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Sep;48(5):509-18. doi:10.1597/09-210Kuta 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
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Craniosynostosis.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Metopic synostosis trigonocephaly.
van der Meulen J.Metopic synostosis.Childs Nerv Syst. 2012 Sep;28(9):1359-67. doi:10.1007/s00381-012-1803-z
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
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Craniosynostosis.
Governale LS.Craniosynostosis.Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Nov;53(5):394-401. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.07.006
Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Cunningham ML, Browne ML, Dosiou C, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM.Craniosynostosis and risk factors related to thyroid dysfunction.Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Apr;167A(4):701-7. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36953
Carmichael SL, Ma C, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Lammer EJ, Shaw GM; National Birth Defects Prevention Study.Craniosynostosis and maternal smoking.Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008 Feb;82(2):78-85. doi:10.1002/bdra.20426
Panigrahi I.Craniosynostosis genetics: The mystery unfolds.Indian J Hum Genet. 2011 May;17(2):48-53. doi:10.4103/0971-6866.86171
Nationwide Children’s.Craniosynostosis: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Cleveland Clinic.Craniosynostosis.
Rosenberg JM, Kapp-Simon KA, Starr JR, Cradock MM, Speltz ML.Mothers' and fathers' reports of stress in families of infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Sep;48(5):509-18. doi:10.1597/09-210
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
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
