Living with Parietal foramina
An inherited condition in which openings in the top and sides of the skull stay open for life.
Understanding Parietal foramina
These openings (foramina) are normal before birth but usually close by the fifth month of pregnancy. Here they stay open and feel soft. Most people have no related health problems. A small number have scalp defects, seizures, or brain differences. Pressure on the openings can cause headaches, and injuries in that area carry a higher risk of skull fracture or brain injury.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists this feature and others less often:
- Soft, round openings in the skull bones
- Headache from pressure (sometimes)
- Seizures (less often)
- Scalp defects (less often)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Craniofacial Association
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in the genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of the gene is enough to cause it. There are two forms, type 1 and type 2, with different genetic causes.
Also known as: caitlin marks; catlin marks; enlarged parietal foramina; fenestrae parietales symmetricae; foramina parietalia permagna; hereditary cranium bifidum
Patient organizations
- Children's Craniofacial AssociationParietal foramina · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Parietal foramina.
Explore research for Parietal foramina
Explore actively recruiting Parietal foramina studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Parietal foramina with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Parietal foramina studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Parietal foramina
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Parietal foramina experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.