Crouzon's syndrome

Last reviewed 01/2018

Crouzon's Syndrome is a craniosynostosis syndrome that has an incidence of about 1 in 70,000 live births. It is caused by a range of mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2) gene. However, the A391E mutation of FGFR3 can also cause a Crouzon's phenotype.

It is characterised by:

  • bicoronal craniosynostosis; leads to turricephaly
  • mid-face hypoplasia:
    • hypotelorism
    • shallow orbits - exorbitism
  • mid-face retrusion leading to obstructive sleep apnoea

Other than genetic confirmation, the important clinical finding of normal hands helps identify Crouzon's from the differentials of Apert's and Pfeiffer's syndromes.