title: Increase of prevalence of craniosynostosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Craniosynostosis represents premature closure of cranial sutures. Prevalence is approximately 3.1-6.4 in 10.000 live births, which is reportedly rising. This epidemiologic study aims to provide insight into this rise through an accurate description of the prevalence, exploring regional variation and change over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Dutch Association for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies was consulted to identify patients with craniosynostosis born between 2008 and 2013. Data were verified using data provided by all hospitals that treated these patients. The following data were collected: date of birth, gender, diagnosis and postal code. Previously reported data from 1997 until 2007 were included to assess for change in prevalence over the years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2008 and 2013 759 patients with craniosynostosis were born in the Netherlands. Prevalence of craniosynostosis was 7.2 per 10.000 live births. Sagittal synostosis was the most common form (44%). Poisson regression analysis showed a significant mean annual increase of prevalence of total craniosynostosis (+12.5%), sagittal (+11.7%) and metopic (+20.5%) synostosis from 1997 to 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of craniosynostosis is 7.2 per 10.000 live born children in the Netherlands. Prevalence of total craniosynostosis, sagittal and metopic suture synostosis has risen significantly from 1997 until 2013, without obvious cause.
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery (Head of Department: Steven Hovius, MD, PhD), Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center (Head of Institution: Ernst Kuipers, MD, PhD), Room EE-1591, Postbus 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.cornelissen@erasmusmc.nl.
authors: Martijn
authors: M
authors: Cornelissen
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery (Head of Department: Steven Hovius, MD, PhD), Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center (Head of Institution: Ernst Kuipers, MD, PhD), Room EE-1591, Postbus 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Bianca den
authors: Bd
authors: Ottelander
authors: Dpt. of Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Room NA-2414, Postbus 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Rizopoulos
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: van der Hulst
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Aebele
authors: A
authors: Mink van der Molen
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: van der Horst
authors: Dpt. of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Delye
authors: Dpt. of Neurosurgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room SK-1204, Postbus 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marie-Lise
authors: ML
authors: van Veelen
authors: Maternity Care Research (AWKG), Division Mother & Child Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Postbus 8588, 3503 RN, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Gouke
authors: G
authors: Bonsel
authors: Dpt. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Handsurgery (Head of Department: Steven Hovius, MD, PhD), Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center (Head of Institution: Ernst Kuipers, MD, PhD), Room EE-1591, Postbus 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Mathijssen
mesh_terms: D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Birth defect; Craniofacial; Craniosynostosis; Prevalence