Are premature infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia at increased risk for atypical craniosynostosis?
- Journal
- Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (Q1)
- Published
- 26 September 2026
- Study design
- Unclassified
- Evidence level
- Level 5, Expert Opinion (CEBM 5)
- Authors
- Suzanne Greenleaf Martin, Christa Matrone, Mark Stephens, Thais Queliz Pena, Mary Schreck, Richard A Guerrero, et al.
- PMID
- 42800815
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41372-026-02907-3
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatric Surgery (paper of the day, 29 September 2026): Atypical craniosynostosis in severe BPD infants
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe an atypical pattern of secondary craniosynostosis observed in premature infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) who required prolonged high-pressure ventilation and tracheostomy. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center retrospective chart review of infants born between January 2020 and May 2025. Inclusion criteria were gestational age 22-28 weeks, severe BPD, tracheostomy placement, and radiologic variables from the medical record. RESULT: Ten patients met inclusion criteria. The greatest 4-week rise in head circumference percentile was 43 ± 14 percentile points, exceeding concurrent changes in weight and length (P = 0.0023). The weighted mean sustained positive end-expiratory pressure was 10.6 cm H₂O. CONCLUSION: Extremely premature infants with severe BPD requiring prolonged high-pressure mechanical ventilation may be vulnerable to a novel phenotype of atypical craniosynostosis marked by accelerated head circumference growth, craniosynostosis, and calvarial thickening. Prospective studies are needed to define ventilatory exposure thresholds, clarify mechanisms, and determine neurologic and surgical implications.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.