Neuropsychosocial outcomes of patients with untreated craniosynostosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review research of visual, auditory and cognitive deficits alongside psychological impacts on patients with untreated craniosynostosis.

METHODS: A 26-reference review from Pubmedallowed us to compile outcomes according to their experimental research.

RESULTS: Auditory difficulties which have been identified, mainly in syndromic craniosynostosis were otitis media and deafness. Visual pathologies included exorbitism, astigmatism and strabismus, mostly in syndromic craniosynostosis. Cognitive deficits effect attention span, acedemic performance, memoiy and language. Lack of autonomy and inability to connect with others are few of the many psychological impacts that were found to correlate with craniosynostosis.

CONCLUSION: Future research should increase control groups of unaffected children and sampling. sizes. This enables better comparison with more accurate mean values and thus any significant or insignificant deviances can be accounted for properly. Routine neuro-psychological testing on such patients is recommended.