Children born with certain genetic conditions, called syndromic craniosynostosis, may develop changes at the base of the skull as they grow. These changes can sometimes affect the brain and spinal cord.

What did we study? We looked at MRI scans from 77 children with these conditions to see how often problems appeared, and whether they changed over time.

What did we find? A condition called Chiari malformation type I (CMI) was found in some children, especially those with Pfeiffer and Crouzon syndromes. Other changes, like platybasia (flattening of the skull base), odontoid retroflexion (a tilt in the neck bone), and syringomyelia (fluid pockets in the spinal cord), were rare. These problems tended to become more noticeable as children got older.

Why does it matter? Even though most children did not have serious changes, regular follow‑up with MRI is important. Detecting these conditions early helps doctors plan care and prevent complications as children grow.

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