Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Late Presentation in Nonsyndromic Sagittal Synostosis

Abstract

Objective: Our objective is to examine which sociodemographic factors may influence the time of presentation of patients with craniosynostosis, which can impact perioperative outcomes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients, Participants: All patients with nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis who underwent surgery at a tertiary pediatric hospital from January 1, 2007 to January 2, 2024 were eligible for inclusion. Interventions: Comparing demographic variables between those undergoing early and late craniosynostosis repair. Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic variables, social vulnerability index (SVI) and area deprivation index (ADI), median household income, education rate, and employment rates. Results: 77.5% (n = 234) of patients underwent minimally invasive repair. 22.5% (n = 68) underwent open cranial vault remodeling. Age at consultation differed significantly between those undergoing early repair compared to late repair (0.18 years v. 1.01 years, P < .0001). Patients undergoing late repair were more likely to be Hispanic (42.6% v. 24.4%, P = .0378), on public insurance (66.2% v. 45.3%, P = .0079), have lower parental education rates (24.78% vs. 31.64%, P = .0019), and lower median household income ($65 657 vs. $75 281, P = .0226). Interestingly, ADI scores and SVI scores did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions: Patients who presented later for treatment of nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis had lower median household income, were more likely to be Hispanic, had lower parental education rates, and were more likely to be on public insurance compared to those who received early treatment.