Aim: To investigate whether the perinatal condition is somehow related to an increased risk of non-syndromic craniosynostosis (NSC).

Materials and methods: A prospective evaluation of patients diagnosed with NSC at the Craniofacial Unit of the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia was performed since January 2007 to April 2011. Demographic information was recorded. Moreover, the following perinatal variables were chosen with the aim to accurately depict the perinatal status of patients: gestational age, type of delivery, Apgar score, history of perinatal complications, and admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit during the perinatal period.

Results: The studied sample ( n = 23) comprised 14 boys and 9 girls. The most common type of NSC was trigonocephaly (39.1%). Regarding perinatal variables, 39.1% of the studied patients were born preterm. Only 21.7% of patients exhibited optimal 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores between 9 and 10. As many as 12 patients (52.2%) were born by cesarean delivery. Perinatal complications occurred in 43.5% of the studied sample. This group of patients included 7 patients born preterm and 3 born at term. An overwhelmingly high rate of respiratory distress was noted (100%, n = 10). Of these children presenting with breathing complications, 9 required mechanical ventilation and admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Conclusion: The possible association between NSC and perinatal variables remains uncertain. Our results suggest that prematurity and respiratory diseases may increase the risk for NSC. Further investigation is needed to corroborate these results.

Conflict of interest: None declared.