Which condition is characterized by premature closure of the sutures of the skull?

Craniosynostosis is the condition characterized by the premature closure of one or more sutures in the skull. Normally, the sutures are flexible and allow for growth of the skull as the brain develops. When these sutures close too early, it can lead to problems with skull shape, restrict brain growth, and potentially result in increased intracranial pressure.

The condition specifically impacts the normal development of the skull and can affect the overall appearance of the head, often leading to distinctive shapes associated with the type of sutures involved. Addressing craniosynostosis usually involves surgical intervention to correct the shape of the skull and to allow for adequate brain growth.

The other conditions listed do not involve the premature closure of skull sutures. While craniopharyngioma is a type of tumor that can affect the pituitary gland and lead to hormonal imbalances, deformational plagiocephaly and positional plagiocephaly refer to skull shape deformities caused by external pressure on the skull, not by premature suture fusion.