Craniosynostosis
Alternate Names : Premature Closure of Sutures
Definition
Craniosynostosis is a congenital (present from before birth) defect, characterized by premature closure of one or more sutures (connections between plates in the skull), which causes an abnormally shaped skull.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of craniosynostosis is unknown. In an infant's head, the sutures mark the boundaries between the bony plates that make up the skull. Premature closure of these sutures stops bony growth and results in deformity of the skull. The shape of the deformity is determined by which sutures are involved.
The condition may be hereditary and caused by a genetic defect, or it can occur sporadically in a family with no other affected relatives. The hereditary form often occurs in conjunction with other defects, which can cause seizures, diminished intellectual capacity, and blindness.
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