Crouzon syndrome, also known as craniofacial dysostosis, is characterized by premature closure of the cranial sutures between certain bones in the skull and distinctive facial abnormalities. Crouzon syndrome can be evident at birth or during infancy. Crouzon syndrome is a rare disorder that can be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or, in some cases, results possibly from mutation, as there is no family history. Both male and female are thought to be equally affected with as many as 1 in 25,000 found at birth. Due to the variability in associated symptoms, this number may be a low estimate of the actual number of cases.
A hereditary condition with autosomal dominant inheritance leads to facial anomalies. Individuals affected by this disorder exhibit distinctive characteristics, including prominent and widely spaced eyes, strabismus (crossed eyes), an unusually elongated skull, a substantial nose with a beak-like shape, and an underdeveloped upper jaw that gives the appearance of a protruding lower jaw.