Conditions We Treat

Apert’s Syndrome
A genetic disease in which the seams between the skull bones close earlier than normal. This affects the shape of the head and face.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
A growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms. It is a congenital condition, which means it is present at birth. The signs and symptoms of the disorder vary somewhat from child to child.

Cherubism
A rare disorder characterized by progressive, painless, bilateral swelling of the jaw during childhood. This fibro-osseous (bone structure) condition is self-limiting, with symptoms typically resolving in adulthood.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.

Craniosynostosis
The sutures of the skull serve as growth plates that allow the skull to grow as the brain grows. In craniosynostosis, one or more of the sutures close early. The skull then attempts to grow parallel to the fused suture, rather than perpendicular to it, causing an abnormal head shape.

Crouzon Syndrome
A disorder characterized by early fusion of certain skull bones (craniosynostosis). This prevents normal growth of the skull, which can affect the shape of the head and face. 

Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.

Encephalocele
Rare neural tube defects characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development.

Goldenhar
A condition that is present at birth and mainly affects the development of the eye, ear, and spine. 

Hypertelorism
An abnormally increased distance between two organs or bodily parts, usually referring to an increased distance between the orbits (eyes), or orbital hypertelorism.

Macrocephaly
Increased head circumference is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the child’s age and background.

Microcephaly
A condition in which a person’s head size is much smaller than that of others of the same age and sex. Head size is measured as the distance around the top of the head. A smaller than normal size is determined using standardized charts.

Microtia
A congenital malformation of the external and middle ear. The ear may appear as though there is a disorganized remnant of cartilage, or it may have a soft tissue lobule. There are various degrees of the deformity.

Moebius Syndrome
A rare neurological condition that primarily affects the muscles that control facial expression and eye movement.

Pfeiffer Syndrome
A disorder that affects the development of the bones in the skull, hands and feet.

Pierre Robin Syndrome
A condition in which an infant has a smaller than normal lower jaw, a tongue that falls back in the throat, and difficulty breathing. It is present at birth.

Plagiocephaly
In positional plagiocephaly, the skull sutures are not fused. This head shape deformation, typically of the back of the head, is caused by repeated pressure to the same area. It usually develops when a child prefers to lay his or her head on the same spot. Torticollis or gross motor delay can also contribute, and these conditions may be responsive to physical therapy.

Treacher Collins Syndrome
A condition that is passed down through families (hereditary). It leads to problems with the structure of the face.

Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome
A genetic condition that is sometimes hereditary. VCFS is characterized by a combination of medical problems that vary from child to child.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
When the soft palate does not close tightly against the back of the throat, leading to air coming out the nose (characterized by hypernasality and/or nasal air emission) during speech.

Appointments

Visit the UF Health Craniofacial Center to learn more about how to request an appointment or make a referral.