[Changes in cranial size and configuration in infants]

Abnormalities of cranial size and configuration include macrocephaly, microcephaly and dysmorphic skull. Hydrocephalus, mega-encephalus, abnormal growth of skull bones and chronic subdural and epidural collections are among the most important causes of macrocephaly. Primary microcephaly may be due to deficient neuronal proliferation or abnormalities in neural tube segmentation or cellular migration. Secondary microcephaly may be caused by prenatal, perinatal or early postnatal insults like infections, drugs, radiation, hypoxia, among others. Abnormal cranial forms may be sporadic or secondary to genetic and chromosomal diseases. Craniosynostosis can be managed surgically with positive results when early diagnosis and treatment are accomplished.