Key Points
Question
Do individuals with sagittal synostosis experience greater cognitive, behavioral, and/or psychological difficulties, compared with their healthy peers?
Findings
In this meta-analysis, data from 32 independent studies involving a pooled sample of 1422 children and adults and examining 16 domains were analyzed. Overall, results were highly variable, with individual study results ranging from moderately positive findings for global development, where the children with sagittal synostosis were functioning at better levels than their peers, to large negative differences between groups for general cognition.
Meaning
These findings suggest that some children with sagittal synostosis experience negative outcomes; thus, ongoing monitoring and referral to support services as required are critical.