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Epidemiologic Assessment of Craniosynostosis in Mississippi's Pediatric Population from 2015 to 2020
Martin G McCandless, Madyson I Brown1, James M Shiflett2
1From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
Insights
Craniosynostosis (CS) incidence in Mississippi varied regionally, with higher rates observed in coastal and central areas. This study highlights potential geographic disparities in CS occurrence and care access within the state.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Craniosynostosis (CS) is a birth defect involving premature fusion of cranial sutures, impacting brain development and facial structure.
- Understanding geographic and demographic patterns of CS is crucial for targeted healthcare interventions and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the geographic and demographic distribution of pediatric patients with craniosynostosis (CS) treated at Children's of Mississippi.
- To identify regional variations in CS incidence within the state of Mississippi.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients diagnosed with CS from 2015 to 2020 at a tertiary pediatric hospital.
- Collection of demographic, geographic, and clinical data, including birth county and live birth statistics.
- Statistical analysis using two-tailed t-tests to compare CS prevalence across four regions of Mississippi.
Main Results:
- An overall incidence of 0.355 per 1000 live births was recorded among 222,819 live births in Mississippi.
- Nonsyndromic CS affecting a single cranial suture was most common (82% and 81%, respectively).
- Higher CS incidence was noted in coastal (0.333/1000) and central (0.527/1000) regions compared to northeast Mississippi (0.132/1000).
Conclusions:
- Regional patterns in CS incidence within Mississippi were observed, potentially influenced by actual occurrence or proximity to the craniofacial center.
- Further research is needed to explore regional risk factors and disparities in access to specialized CS care.
- Findings can inform targeted outreach programs to mitigate the burden of CS care in Mississippi.
Objectives:
This study aimed to report geographic and demographic patterns of patients with craniosynostosis (CS) treated at Children's of Mississippi, the state's only American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-approved craniofacial team.
Methods:
Patients with CS were treated at a tertiary pediatric hospital cared for by craniofacial surgeons and neurosurgeons from 2015 to 2020. Demographic, geographic, and CS diagnosis details, including sex, gestational age, race, ethnicity, insurance status, and affected cranial suture type(s), number, and associated syndromic diagnosis were collected, including birth county and total live births from state data. Significant differences between prevalence of CS in four regions of Mississippi were examined using two-tailed t tests (P < 0.05).
Results:
Among 222,819 live births in Mississippi between 2015 and 2020, 79 pediatric patients presented to Children's of Mississippi with CS, with an overall incidence of 0.355/1000 live births. Most cases were nonsyndromic CS (82%, n = 65) affecting a single major cranial suture (81%, n = 64). The overall incidence of CS was higher in the coastal and central regions compared with northeast Mississippi, at 0.333 and 0.527 vs 0.132/1000 live births (P = 0.012 and P = 0.004), respectively.
Conclusions:
Results from this study suggest regional patterns of CS in Mississippi, which may reflect actual incidence patterns or proximity to Children's of Mississippi. Further study could reveal regional differences in risk factors underlying CS incidence or access to specialized CS care for different regions in the state. This will lead to opportunities for institutional outreach to decrease the burden of CS care in Mississippi.
