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Also known as: craniosynostosis, syndromic craniosynostosis.
When an infant is born, the bones that make up the skull are typically not joined together fully. Muenke syndrome is a condition that results in one or more of these bones closing early (called craniosynostosis) before birth. The effects of this vary widely even within families.
Muenke syndrome is a genetic form of craniosynostosis which means it’s caused by a change (mutation) in a gene (FGFR3) that affects bone growth. Muenke syndrome can occur for the first time in a family or can be inherited from a parent who has Muenke syndrome. A person who has the condition will have a 50% chance of passing the condition to their children.
The prematurely joined skull bones lead to an abnormal/asymmetrical head or face shape with wide-set eyes (which may droop or bulge) and flattened cheekbones. The head may be large (megacephaly) or shaped like a “tower” or wide and flat. The pressure inside the skull may increase. About 30% of infants have developmental delay and some have problems with sight and hearing.
There is no single treatment for Muenke syndrome. Craniosynotosis may require surgical correction. Other treatment is focused on managing specific symptoms as they occur.
Reviewed by: Mislen S Bauer, MD
This page was last updated on: July 06, 2021 01:05 PM
The Craniofacial Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital is Florida’s only specialty center for children with craniofacial disorders offering comprehensive management for infants, children, and young adults with craniofacial disorders.
When a baby has craniosynostosis, one or more of the bones of the skull are joined together by bone prematurely. This leads to problems depending on which, and how many sutures may have closed early. Learn more
When the sutures in the middle of the forehead of an infant close earlier than they should, it’s known as metopic synotosis. A triangular pointed skull is a noticeable sign of this condition. Learn more
Syndromic craniosynostosis is related to a genetic condition that causes premature fusion of the skull bones and other clinical features most often involving the head and face. Learn more