Craniofacial Anomalies

UChicago Medicine Craniofacial Anomalies Multidisciplinary Program (CAMP)

The Craniofacial Anomalies Multidisciplinary Program (CAMP) at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital is one of the largest craniofacial programs in the region. We are nationally accredited by the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and staffed by Chicago's largest pediatric neurosurgery group as well as renowned experts in pediatric plastic surgery, genetics and neuroradiology.

CAMP provides a thorough team approach for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children with craniofacial disorders or birth defects of the face or head. These include:

• Craniosynostosis: Premature closing of one or more “seams” on a baby’s skull
• Craniofacial syndromes: An abnormality in the face or head, such as Crouzon, Apert, Pfeiffer and Jackson Weiss
• Frontonasal dysplasia: Abnormal development of the head and face before birth
• Cleidocranial dysplasia: A defect affecting bones and teeth
• Encephaloceles: Incomplete closing of skull bones
• Rare craniofacial clefts: Severe deformities of the face and head that affect both bones and soft tissues

Children with craniosynostosis should be diagnosed and treated during infancy. Surgery, the main treatment, is usually recommended before the child turns one. Patients also require regular evaluations to ensure the skull, facial bones and brain are developing properly. Our geneticist diagnoses clinical syndromes associated with craniosynostosis and provides counseling and medical care for other medical problems associated with these syndromes.

We want to make your family's visit with the CAMP team as smooth and informative as possible. We are here to help you understand your child's diagnosis and treatment options so you can make the best care decision as a family.

Research & Discovery

Children with craniosynostosis and other craniofacial disorders receive additional benefits from UChicago Medicine's research efforts. To help future patients, the University of Chicago's Bernard Sarnat Craniofacial Development Laboratory is actively studying the regeneration of bone for the repair of complex craniofacial defects; the biology of skull and facial sutures; and bone substitutes and the survival of bone-cartilage grafts.