What is the Difference Between Apert and Crouzon Syndrome

The key difference between Apert and Crouzon syndrome is that Apert syndrome is a very severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome, while Crouzon syndrome is a less severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome.

Apert and Crouzon syndrome are two types of craniosynostosis syndromes. In craniosynostosis, the sutures of the skull close too early, resulting in abnormal brain and skull development. Apert and Crouzon syndrome are both due to mutations of the FGFR2 gene. Intellectual disability is a common sign in Apert syndrome, but the intellectual disability is seen rarely in Crouzon syndrome. Moreover, with Apert syndrome, babies have the same craniofacial characteristics as Crouzon syndrome, but additionally, babies in Apert syndrome may have fused or webbed fingers and toes, as well.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Apert Syndrome
3. What is Crouzon Syndrome
4. Similarities – Apert and Crouzon Syndrome
5. Apert vs Crouzon Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Apert vs Crouzon Syndrome

What is Apert Syndrome?

Apert syndrome is a very severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome. It is a rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal development of the brain. Babies with this condition have a distorted head shape and face, together with other birth defects. Apert syndrome is caused due to the mutation of a single gene called FGFR2. This gene is normally responsible for guiding bones to join together at the right time during development. Moreover, about 1 in 65000 babies is born with Apert syndrome.

The symptoms of this condition may include a long head with a high forehead, wide-set, bulging eyes with poorly closing eyelids, a sunken middle face, poor intelligence development, obstructive sleep apnea, repeated ear or sinus infections, hearing loss, and crowded teeth due to defects in jaw development, fused or webbed fingers, toes and heart, and gastrointestinal or urinary system problems.

Apert syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for Apert syndrome include surgery (release of skull bone fusion, midface advancement, and correction of wide-set eyes), ear drops during the day, continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP), antibiotics, surgical tracheostomy, and surgical placement of ear tubes.

What is Crouzon Syndrome?

Crouzon syndrome is a less severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome. Crouzon syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 60,000 live births. It is one of the most common types of craniosynostosis syndrome. It is also caused due to a mutation in the FGFR2 gene. The symptoms of this condition may include wide-set eyes, bulging eyeballs, crossed eyes, protruding forehead, small, beak-shaped nose, underdeveloped jaw, cleft lip or palate, vision problems, dental problems, hearing loss, breathing problems, hydrocephalus, and rare intellectual disabilities.

Crouzon syndrome can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, CT scan, and MRI molecular genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for this syndrome include surgery (creating space within the baby’s skull for the developing brain to grow, relieving the pressure, and reshaping and improving the appearance of the baby’s head), helmet therapy, psychosocial therapy, genetic counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

What are the Similarities Between Apert and Crouzon Syndrome?

• Apert and Crouzon syndrome are two types of craniosynostosis syndromes.
• Both syndromes are due to the mutation of a gene called the FGFR2 gene.
• Both syndromes have similar craniofacial characteristics.
• They can be diagnosed through physical examination and genetic testing.
• They are mainly treated through surgeries that are done to the skull.

What is the Difference Between Apert and Crouzon Syndrome?

Apert syndrome is a very severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome, while Crouzon syndrome is a less severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome. Thus, this is the key difference between Apert and Crouzon syndrome. Furthermore, Apert syndrome commonly causes intellectual disabilities, while Crouzon syndrome rarely causes intellectual disabilities.

The below infographic presents the differences between Apert and Crouzon syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Apert vs Crouzon Syndrome

Apert and Crouzon syndrome are two types of craniosynostosis syndromes. Both these syndromes are due to the mutation of a gene called the FGFR2 gene and have similar craniofacial characteristics. However, Apert syndrome is a very severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome, while Crouzon syndrome is a less severe form of craniosynostosis syndrome. So, this is the key difference between Apert and Crouzon syndrome.

Reference:

1. “Apert Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis.” WebMD.
2. “Crouzon Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Outlook.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hand in Apert syndrome (1)” By Gzzz – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Baby with Crouzon Syndrome” By KateVUk – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia