The signs of craniosynostosis are usually noticeable at birth, but they become more apparent during the first few months of your baby's life. Signs and severity depend on how many sutures are fused and when in brain development the fusion occurs. Signs and symptoms can include:  A misshapen skull, with the shape depending on which of the sutures are affected Development of a raised, hard ridge along affected sutures, with a change in the shape of the head that's not typical  Types of craniosynostosis There are several types of craniosynostosis. Most involve the fusion of a single cranial suture. Some complex forms of craniosynostosis involve the fusion of multiple sutures. Multiple suture craniosynostosis is usually linked to genetic syndromes and is called syndromic craniosynostosis. The term given to each type of craniosynostosis depends on what sutures are affected. Types of craniosynostosis include:  Sagittal (scaphocephaly). Premature fusion of the sagittal suture that runs from the front to the back at the top of the skull forces the head to grow long and narrow. This head shape is called scaphocephaly. Sagittal craniosynostosis is the most common type of craniosynostosis. Coronal. Premature fusion of one of the coronal sutures (unicoronal) that run from each ear to the top of the skull may cause the forehead to flatten on the affected side and bulge on the unaffected side. It also leads to turning of the nose and a raised eye socket on the affected side. When both coronal sutures fuse prematurely (bicoronal), the head has a short and wide appearance, often with the forehead tilted forward. Metopic. The metopic suture runs from the top of the bridge of the nose up through the midline of the forehead to the anterior fontanel and the sagittal suture. Premature fusion gives the forehead a triangular appearance and widens the back part of the head. This head shape is also called trigonocephaly. Lambdoid. Lambdoid synostosis is a rare type of craniosynostosis that involves the lambdoid suture, which runs along the back of the head. It may cause one side of a baby's head to appear flat, one ear to be higher than the other ear and tilting of the top of the head to one side.  Other reasons for a misshapen head A misshapen head doesn't always indicate craniosynostosis. For example, if the back of your baby's head appears flattened, it could be the result of spending too much time lying on one side of the head. This can be treated with regular position changes, or if significant, with helmet therapy (cranial orthosis) to help reshape the head to a more balanced appearance.
signs craniosynostosis noticeable birth  apparent first months baby's life  signs severity depend sutures fused brain development fusion occurs  signs symptoms can include:  misshapen skull  shape depending sutures affected development raised  hard ridge affected sutures  change shape head that's typical  types craniosynostosis types craniosynostosis  involve fusion single cranial suture  complex forms craniosynostosis involve fusion multiple sutures  multiple suture craniosynostosis linked genetic syndromes called syndromic craniosynostosis  term given type craniosynostosis depends sutures affected  types craniosynostosis include:  sagittal (scaphocephaly)  premature fusion sagittal suture runs front back top skull forces head grow long narrow  head shape called scaphocephaly  sagittal craniosynostosis common type craniosynostosis  coronal  premature fusion coronal sutures (unicoronal) run ear top skull may cause forehead flatten affected side bulge unaffected side  leads turning nose raised eye socket affected side  coronal sutures fuse prematurely (bicoronal)  head short wide appearance  forehead tilted forward  metopic  metopic suture runs top bridge nose midline forehead anterior fontanel sagittal suture  premature fusion gives forehead triangular appearance widens back part head  head shape called trigonocephaly  lambdoid  lambdoid synostosis rare type craniosynostosis involves lambdoid suture  runs back head  may cause side baby's head flat  ear higher ear tilting top head side   reasons misshapen head misshapen head doesn't craniosynostosis  example  back baby's head flattened  result spending time lying side head  can treated regular position changes  significant  helmet therapy (cranial orthosis) help reshape head balanced appearance
craniosynostosis