Cranial-facial dysmorphism is characterized by malformations due to the incorrect development of the embryo during intrauterine life.
These abnormalities may involve the skull, craniosynostosis (premature closure of the sutures of the skull), the face, dysostosis (abnormal development of the facial bones), or both (for example, Apert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndrome).
To these malformations are also added vascular anomalies and neurofibromatosis of the craniofacial bones and soft tissues.