Daily executive function in children and adolescents with non-syndromic craniosynostosis: association with timing of surgical intervention.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess executive functioning in everyday activities of participants with non-syndromic craniosynostosis, to compare their performance with a control group, to assess the relationship between the timing of surgery and executive functioning, and to determine the proportion of participants scoring in the clinical range for executive functions.

METHODS

Twenty-nine participants with craniosynostosis and 30 controls were assessed with the parent version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function 2 (BRIEF-2).

RESULTS

Both groups scored similarly. However, the older the participant with craniosynostosis at the time of the surgery, the greater their difficulties in Task Initiation, Working Memory, Planning, and Monitoring. Only a small percentage (0-17%) of participants with craniosynostosis scored in the clinically significant range; this proportion was similar to that of the control group.

CONCLUSION

This study did not find substantial difficulties in executive functions in daily activities in participants with non-syndromic craniosynostosis, but it did find an association between late surgery and lower scores in some cold executive functions. The study suggests that early surgical intervention could have a potential neurodevelopmental benefit for children and adolescents with craniosynostosis.