To allow for rapid brain growth, your baby's skull cap is made up of five bones, held together by a fibrous-like material called "sutures". Normally, they remain open as long as the brain grows, which gives the brain room needed to grow in all directions.

If any of the sutures close or fuse before the brain has finished growing, the condition known as craniosynostosis occurs. Other terms used to describe this problem include: synostosis, or cranial stenosis. Premature closure can take place before birth or at any time until the brain stops growing.

Because the brain is growing normally, it will take the path of least resistance which will result in a misshapen head or face.