Cognitive performance of preschool children with different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis

Background: Craniosynostosis is defined as a premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. Several studies have revealed cognitive deficits in some children who had undergone surgery to treat craniosynostosis. However, no general distinction has been drawn in the cognitive abilities between the various types of craniosynostosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze if there is a difference in cognitive and motor function among the different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis in preschool children. Methods: Twenty-seven children with different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Third Edition, as well as the Quantitative, Memory and Motor scales of McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA). The children were aged between 3 and 5 years and 11 months. The various types of craniosynostosis were compared. Results: The unicoronal synostosis group performed significantly worse than the multisuture synostosis group on the MSCA Motor scale. No differences in cognitive functions were found between the various types of craniosynostosis. Conclusions: Children with unicoronal synostosis may experience impaired motor skills and screening of their motor ability is recommended.