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Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
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Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

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Early beaten-copper pattern: its long-term effect on intelligence quotients in 95 children with craniosynostosis

Jacques van der Meulen1, Joris van der Vlugt, Jolanda Okkerse

  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.vandermeulen@erasmusmc.nl

Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|March 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

In children with craniosynostosis, a beaten-copper pattern (BCP) was common before 18 months but did not significantly impact long-term IQ. The study found no correlation between BCP presence or location and later intelligence levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Craniofacial Surgery
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Craniosynostosis involves premature fusion of skull sutures, potentially affecting brain development.
  • Beaten-copper patterns (BCPs) on skull radiographs may indicate increased intracranial pressure or altered bone growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of BCPs in young children with craniosynostosis.
  • To determine the association between BCPs and later intelligence quotient (IQ) in these patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 538 cephalograms from 95 children with craniosynostosis (mean age 1.16 years).
  • Assessed BCP presence, location, and surface area coverage.
  • Correlated BCP findings with IQ scores obtained using standardized tests (Snijders-Oomen Nonverbal Intelligence Test-Revised, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised).

Main Results:

  • 71.6% of patients exhibited BCPs before 18 months, predominantly bilateral and in the occipital region.
  • Mean IQ was 95 +/- 21.3; syndromic cases had lower IQs than nonsyndromic cases (p=0.03).
  • No significant correlation was found between BCP appearance or location and IQ scores.

Conclusions:

  • BCPs are highly prevalent in young children with craniosynostosis, increasing during early brain growth.
  • Despite their commonality in this cohort, BCPs did not demonstrate a significant long-term impact on patient intelligence.
Abstract

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