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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Prognostic factors for cranial deformities in infancy: a retrospective cohort study
Rui Li1, Qiong Jia1, Jing Wang1
1Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors on the natural recovery time of positional cranial deformities in infants.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 1,219 infants diagnosed with positional cranial deformities who attended the Children's Health Development Center of our hospital on at least two occasions between January 2022 and April 2025. The cohort comprised 228 preterm infants and 991 full-term infants. Cranial parameters, including cranial vault asymmetry (CVA), cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), and cephalic ratio (CR), were measured using the STARscanner 2.0 system. Median recovery time was estimated using survival analysis. The effects of age, sex, gestational age at birth, maternal age, birth weight, cranial shape, and severity of deformity on recovery time were evaluated using multivariate proportional hazards Cox regression analyses.
Results:
Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age was an independent predictor of natural recovery (hazard ratio = 0.44, P < 0.001), with younger age exhibiting a significantly faster recovery. Deformity severity was a key determinant, as infants with mild deformities recovering significantly faster than those with severe deformities (P < 0.001). In contrast, sex and cranial shape were not significantly associated with recovery time.
Conclusion:
Younger age at diagnosis and milder deformity severity were associated with a higher likelihood and faster rate of natural recovery from positional cranial deformities in infants. Enhanced follow-up and targeted management are recommended for infants diagnosed at an older age at diagnosis and for those presenting with more severe deformities in clinical practice.
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