Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Sleep Outcomes in Children With Single-Suture Craniosynostosis Compared With Unaffected Controls
Insights
Children with single-suture craniosynostosis show a higher risk for sleep-disordered breathing, particularly snoring. This suggests a need for further investigation into sleep issues in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Sleep Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Single-suture craniosynostosis is a condition affecting skull development in infants.
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) encompasses conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
- The relationship between craniosynostosis and SDB requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in children with single-suture craniosynostosis.
- To compare the risk of SDB symptoms between affected children and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 184 children with single-suture craniosynostosis and 184 controls.
- Parent-reported questionnaires were used to assess SDB-related symptoms.
- Statistical analysis included calculating adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- While overall current sleep problems did not significantly differ, snoring was statistically associated with single-suture craniosynostosis (P = .01).
- Snoring occurred more frequently (2+ nights/week) in children with single-suture craniosynostosis (13%) compared to controls (4%).
- The adjusted odds ratio for snoring was 3.5 (95% CI, 1.5 to 8.2).
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest an increased risk of snoring in children with single-suture craniosynostosis.
- This increased snoring may indicate a higher susceptibility to sleep-disordered breathing.
- Further research employing standardized SDB assessments is recommended.
Objective:
To compare risk for sleep-disordered breathing between children with and without single-suture craniosynostosis.
Participants:
A total of 184 children with single-suture craniosynostosis and 184 controls.
Main Outcome Measures:
Parent reported sleep-disordered breathing-related symptoms.
Results:
Current sleep problems were reported in 19% of patients with single-suture craniosynostosis and 14% of controls (adjusted odds ratio = 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9 to 2.8). Ever having sleep problems was reported in 25% and 23% of cases and controls, respectively (adjusted odds ratio = 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7 to 1.9). Overall, snoring was statistically associated with single-suture craniosynostosis (P = .01) and was more often reported as 2+ nights per week (versus never) in patients with single-suture craniosynostosis (13%) than in controls (4%) (adjusted odds ratio = 3.5; 95% CI, 1.5 to 8.2).
Conclusions:
Though preliminary, increased presence of snoring during sleep in children with single-suture craniosynostosis compared with controls suggests that children with isolated single-suture craniosynostosis may be at increased risk for sleep-disordered breathing. Further study using standardized assessments of sleep-disordered breathing is needed.
