BACKGROUND: aspects of language development in craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis (premature fusion of the cranial sutures) has an incidence of 0.4 to 1/1.000 newborns. Etiology for this congenital anomaly includes environmental and genetic factors. Regarding the form of presentation, it can occur in its isolated form or associated to other congenital anomalies. For this last group, acrocephalosyndactilies are observed. These are genetically determined conditions which present phenotypic similarity, including the following syndromes: Saethre-Chotzen, Apert, Crouzon e Pfeiffer. As all of these conditions affect the craniofacial development, it is possible to find anatomic and functional interferences which determine language delays and/or deficits. AIM: to revise the literature concerning aspects related to normal verbal language development and to describe the main characteristics associated to this condition in children who present Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer and Saethre-Chotzen syndromes. A systematic review on syndromic craniosynostosis and oral language was performed, consulting Medline, Lilacs and other important references on this theme. CONCLUSION: several manifestations related to hearing and language have been detected in individuals with syndromic craniosynostosis. The most important are alterations in the sound conduction system, leading to hearing losses, and consequently interfering in language acquisition and development. For this reason, speech-language diagnosis and early intervention are recommended in order to eliminate or minimize damages in language acquisition and development.
Craniosynostosis; Language Development; Genetics; Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences