Neuropsychological Outcomes of Children with Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. Previous research suggests that craniosynostosis is related to cognitive deficits, impairments, and delay, and that these impairments might be related to the age of surgical intervention or the location and severity of suture fusion (Kapp-Simon, 1998). The current research sought to further investigate such relationships using a sample of 177 pediatric patients from the University of Michigan Neuropsychology Clinic. The data included 56 intelligence quotient (IQ) scores from various neuropsychological tests [Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)]. Results indicate that when surgery is conducted before age two (n = 46), post-surgical IQ is not related to age (r = ; p = ); however, patients who receive corrective surgery for craniosynostosis after two years of age appear be at a higher risk for cognitive impairment