Physical and neurocognitive outcomes of children with primary Non-Syndromic Single-Suture craniosynostosis

Abstract

IntroductionCraniosynostosis is a congenital anomaly disturbing children’s cognitive disability and motor status and appearance. The present study aimed to determine the physical and neurocognitive outcomes of children with primary non-syndromic single-suture craniosynostosis. MethodThe present cohort study started data collection from the Imam Hossein Hospital of Isfahan in 2019 and continued it until 2022. A total of 70 children with primary non-syndromic single-suture craniosynostosis were selected by the census method and then were included in the study. Children were examined before the treatment and up to one year after the surgery (1,3,6,12 and 15 months), and data were collected using a checklist. ResultsA total of 68 children with primary non-syndromic single-suture craniosynostosis were followed up in this study for 15 months. Among them, 72.1% were male, and the skull shapes were Scaphocephaly in 37 children (54.4%). The mean head circumference score increased from one month to 6 months; however, it decreased from 12 months onward. In each examination, the mean HC had a significant difference from the pre-operation stage. The 12-month follow-up indicated that 15 children (25.8%) had cognitive deficits. A total of 7 children (46.7%) had cognitive disability, 3 (20%) had motor problems, 3 (33.3%) had both problems, and 7 (31.8%) improved after the operation. Finally, the cranial index was significantly related to the intra-operative child's age. ConclusionAccording to the results, the cranial index is significantly associated with the intra-operative child age and it is probably a more suitable index than the head circumference to investigate the child's appearance.