Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System to Evaluate Psychosocial Functioning among
Danielle N Shapiro1, Jennifer Waljee, Kavitha Ranganathan
1Ann Arbor, Mich. From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System.
Insights
Children with craniofacial anomalies experience challenges in peer relationships, especially boys. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tools effectively monitor psychosocial adjustment in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- Children with craniofacial anomalies face risks of social exclusion and psychological distress, impacting development.
- Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments offer potential for monitoring psychosocial functioning.
- Integrating patient and parent perspectives is crucial for understanding child well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of NIH PROMIS instruments for assessing psychosocial adjustment in children with craniofacial anomalies.
- To compare psychosocial functioning (depression, anxiety, peer relationships) in this cohort to normative data.
- To identify specific areas of psychosocial concern for targeted intervention.
Main Methods:
- 74 children with craniofacial anomalies completed child self-report and parent-proxy PROMIS measures.
- Assessed depression, anxiety, and peer relationship quality using validated PROMIS instruments.
- Analyzed reliability of self- and proxy-reports and compared sample means to PROMIS norms.
Main Results:
- PROMIS instruments demonstrated satisfactory reliability (α = 0.74–0.96) in this pediatric population.
- Children and parents reported typical levels of depression and anxiety.
- Poorer peer relationship quality was reported compared to normative data, notably in boys.
Conclusions:
- NIH PROMIS instruments are reliable and efficient for monitoring psychosocial adjustment in children with craniofacial anomalies.
- Social functioning appears to be a key area of concern, particularly for boys.
- PROMIS tools can aid clinicians in identifying and addressing psychosocial challenges.
Background:
Children with craniofacial anomalies are at risk for social exclusion, bullying, and psychological symptoms, all of which are associated with poor developmental and health outcomes. The National Institutes of Health-developed Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments may be useful tools for monitoring psychosocial functioning in clinical settings and for integrating patient and parent perspectives.
Methods:
The current study included 74 children (50 percent male) with craniofacial anomalies recruited through a multidisciplinary clinic. The authors obtained child self-report and parent-proxy ratings of depression, anxiety, and peer relationship quality using National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments. The authors compared sample means to Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments norms and analyzed the reliability of parents' and children's reporting of psychosocial variables.
Results:
All reliability statistics were satisfactory (α values ranging from 0.74 to 0.96) and sample standard deviations were similar to those obtained in a general population, suggesting that Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments are reliable among children with craniofacial anomalies. In general, children and parents did not report unusual levels of psychological distress; however, they did report poorer peer relationship quality relative to normed data, a trend that was particularly pronounced among boys.
Conclusions:
National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments are efficient and accurate tools for monitoring psychosocial adjustment among children with craniofacial anomalies. It may be especially important to monitor social functioning, particularly among boys.
