What Causes Craniofacial Deformities?
Researchers know that abnormal growth patterns of the face or skull involving soft tissue and bones are what lead to the deformities, but most of the time, the underlying cause of the disfigurement is unknown. Some of these growth patterns are genetic in nature, while others are brought about by environmental factors. Types of Craniofacial Deformities There are many different kinds of craniofacial deformities. One common type of deformity is called craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis refers to a condition where the bones of the skull are fused together. The skull bones fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The areas where the skull bones meet are called sutures. As babies grow, their brains increase in size rapidly and push on the bones of the skull, which then expand to make room. In the case of craniosynostosis, however, skull bone sutures fuse too early, which inhibits growth. This inability to grow in one area may lead to overgrowth in another area, resulting in an abnormally
