Craniofacial
Our Craniofacial unit is one of five UK specialist units treating children, young people and adults with a rare group of conditions that affect the growth of the skull and face.
These conditions usually require surgery involving several different specialist surgeons and doctors, each combining their skills to provide the highest quality treatment at the same time. This joint approach means we can offer treatments that are innovative and undertaken safely worldwide to result in a successful outcome for children and their families.
We work closely with colleagues in the other 4 UK centers (Alder Hey, Liverpool, John Radcliffe, Oxford, Great Ormond Street, London and Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow), to make sure we are always offering the highest standards of quality in both our treatments and care.
We carry out two to four complex operations a week on children with these conditions and monitor them to assess their development throughout their childhood. A small group of our young people have a diagnosis which will require longer follow-up and we continue to see them when they become adults, in our sister department at the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
What is craniosynostosis?
Normally, at birth, the skull is made up of several plates of bone which meet at gaps (sutures), called the sagittal, coronal, metopic and lambdoid sutures. The sutures allow the bones of the skull to overlap slightly during birth so that babies can pass through the birth canal. The sutures remain open in childhood, allowing the skull to expand as the brain grows rapidly during the first 2 years of life.
In craniosynostosis, if a suture closes too early, growth in that direction stops, and the skull compensates by expanding in other directions—leading to a characteristic difference in head shape. Please see below for a description of some common craniosynostosis conditions we treat.
Sagittal Synostosis
- Suture involved: Sagittal (runs along the midline, from front to back)
- Head shape: Scaphocephaly — long, narrow head; prominent forehead and occiput.
- The most common type of craniosynostosis
Metopic Synostosis
- Suture involved: Metopic (from top of nose to sagittal suture)
- Head shape: Trigonocephaly — triangular forehead, narrow temples, hypotelorism (closely spaced eyes).
Unicoronal Synostosis
- Suture involved: One coronal suture (ear to ear, across the top of the head).
- head shape: Anterior plagiocephaly — forehead flattening and orbital elevation on affected side; nasal deviation.
Bicoronal Synostosis
- Suture involved: Both coronal sutures.
- Head shape: Brachycephaly — short, wide skull; flat forehead; possible turricephaly (tower skull).
If your child is diagnosed with a craniofacial condition, you will see some or all these professionals at various points in their journey. Frequency of follow-up appointments will vary depending on specific diagnosis, but all children with craniosynostosis will be followed up at key ages of 3,5,7,10 and 15 years old
Children with craniosynostosis will receive speech and language and neurodevelopmental assessments at specific ages throughout their childhood. This allows us to monitor their progress and identify when extra support is required.
Some families will also meet our Clinical Geneticist to discuss the child’s diagnosis, arrange further tests and considerations for the future
When to Refer and Timing of Surgery
Babies should be referred to as soon as an abnormality of the baby’s head shape is suspected, and this may even be at the time of birth. Some craniosynostosis can be treated within the first few months of life and therefore, early referral is preferred.
How To Refer
Please send referrals via post or email to our admin team at: bwc.craniofacial@nhs.net
We accept referrals directly from any health professional, including health visitors and physiotherapists. A referral should include as much information as possible including a description of the head shape concern, the child's full demographic information and any medical history.
All new referrals are discussed weekly at our team meeting, and parents may be contacted before this to provide photos of the child’s head shape. This is to allow us to triage referrals effectively to ensure children are seen at the appropriate time.
Contact us
The Birmingham Craniofacial Team consists of a dedicated group of nurse specialists, clinicians, and surgeons. We are here to support you, your child, and your family through this journey.
We welcome calls from families, general practitioners, or any other healthcare professionals for all types of craniofacial conditions.
For referrals or any further information, please contact us at:
Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Craniofacial Unit
Steelhouse Lane
Birmigham
B4 6NH
0121 333 8147
Switchboard - 0121 333 9999 to contact a specific clinician
Admin Email: bwc.craniofacial@nhs.net
Craniofacial Nurse Specialists Email: amy.drew@nhs.net