Abstract

Background: Craniosynostoses are congenital defects in the construction of the skull involving premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. Premature fusion of sutures causes characteristic skull deformation(s). This affect the structure and thus the appearance of the entire head and face. The aim of this study was to analyze parents’ subjective assessments of head and facial appearance in children with craniosynostoses before and after surgery. Parents also assessed the interpersonal relationship of their children with peers and adults (after surgery). Methods: This study was conducted among parents of 230 children treated in Poland, in two multidisciplinary centers. Detailed statistical analysis was conducted among children who had undergone surgery. Independent variables were age (at survey) of the child (three years and less, four years, and five years and more) and type of craniosynostosis (isolated and syndromic). A chi-square independence test was used. Data was collected using surveys. Results: In the opinion of most parents, the appearance of their child’s head and face after surgery did not differ or differed only slightly from that of their peers. The results of subjective assessment of appearance of children’s face and head after reconstructive treatment remains comparable in three subgroups of patients according to the age. It seems that specific head shape according to the type of craniosynostosis does not have an impact on relations with peers and adults. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of children with craniosynostoses improves the appearance of their head and face. This improvement seems not to depend on the type of isolated craniosynostosis, and is constant over time.

Highlights

  • Important to identity is the face, which in contrast to the rest of the body is always exposed [1]

  • The results of subjective assessment of appearance of children’s face and head after reconstructive treatment remains comparable in three subgroups of patients according to the age. It seems that specific head shape according to the type of craniosynostosis does not have an impact on relations with peers and adults

  • The study was conducted among parents of children with various types of craniosynostoses treated in Poland, in two multidisciplinary centers: the John Paul II Upper Silesian Child Health Centre in Katowice; and the Craniofacial Treatment Centre in Olsztyn

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Summary

Introduction

Important to identity is the face, which in contrast to the rest of the body is always exposed [1]. This means that “the face tells others about who we are” [2]. Parents of children with craniofacial anomalies may fear the reactions of others to the appearance of their child, and wonder whether their child will be accepted. Premature fusion of sutures causes characteristic skull deformation(s). This affect the structure and the appearance of the entire head and face. The aim of this study was to analyze parents’ subjective assessments of head and facial appearance in children with craniosynostoses before and after surgery. Methods: This study was conducted among parents of 230 children treated in Poland, in two multidisciplinary centers

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