What Are the Most Common Types of Craniosynostosis?

Receiving a craniosynostosis diagnosis for your baby can be overwhelming. Craniosynostosis occurs when one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of a baby’s skull (called sutures) close prematurely. For parents, it can be helpful to know how common your child’s specific condition is. Sagittal synostosis is the most common type of craniosynostosis ^[1].

Overall, craniosynostosis affects roughly 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 2,500 live births ^[1]. The condition is most often non-syndromic, meaning it occurs on its own and is not tied to a broader genetic syndrome ^[2].

Breakdown by Suture

When babies are diagnosed with craniosynostosis, the condition is categorized by which specific suture (or sutures) closed too early. Your doctor will likely use a physical exam and sometimes a 3D CT scan to determine exactly which sutures are affected.

• Sagittal Synostosis (40–50% of cases): This is the most frequent form of craniosynostosis ^[1][2]. The sagittal suture runs along the top of the head from the soft spot near the front to the back of the head. When it closes prematurely, the head tends to grow long and narrow.
• Coronal Synostosis (20–30% of cases): The coronal sutures run from each ear to the top of the skull ^[1]. This can affect one side (unilateral), causing forehead prominence and asymmetry on the affected side ^[3][4]. It can also affect both sides (bilateral), causing a flattened appearance of the forehead ^[5].
• Metopic Synostosis (20–25% of cases): The metopic suture runs from the top of the head down the middle of the forehead toward the nose. Premature closure can cause a triangular-shaped forehead. While historically thought to be less common than coronal synostosis, recent studies show that the rate of metopic synostosis has been significantly increasing over the past two decades ^[1][6][7].
• Lambdoid Synostosis (1–5% of cases): This is the rarest major form of the condition ^[2]. The lambdoid suture runs across the back of the head. When it closes early, it causes flattening on the back of the head. It is sometimes initially confused with deformational plagiocephaly (positional head flattening). However, doctors can tell the difference: true lambdoid synostosis causes a trapezoid-shaped skull with the ear on the affected side pulled backward and downward, whereas positional flattening creates a parallelogram shape with the ear pushed forward ^[2][1].

Single vs. Multiple Sutures

The vast majority of craniosynostosis cases involve only a single suture closing early ^[2]. When multiple sutures are involved, the condition is more complex and is often associated with a genetic syndrome, such as Crouzon, Apert, or Pfeiffer syndrome ^[8]. These multi-suture, syndromic cases carry a higher risk of increased pressure inside the skull and require coordinated care from a specialized pediatric craniofacial team ^[9].