To recognize and make the proper diagnosis of a craniofacial abnormality, it is helpful for the pediatrician to understand the normal embryology, morphologic variations, and the characteristics, types, and timings of defects that can occur. It is important that pediatricians and other caregivers of infants and young children be able to recognize the common cranial abnormalities so that the families maybe properly counseled and referred to an appropriate multidisciplinary craniofacial center. Because the most common causes of distortion or asymmetry are craniosynostosis or deformation, these abnormalities are the primary subjects of this article.