Gene/environment interactions in craniosynostosis: A brief review.

It is suggested that craniosynostosis is caused by a heterogeneous set of effects including gene mutations, teratogenic exposure during critical periods of development and gene/environment interactions. Distinguishing between sufficient, additive and interactive effects is important to the study of gene/environment interactions and allows for segregation of environmental exposures effecting susceptible populations. Through the identification of sufficient and interactive effects, efforts in prevention of craniosynostosis may be successful. Here, we provide a brief review focusing on defining these categorized exposures and relevant literature that has interrogated gene/environment interactions for craniosynostosis.