Prevalence of motor development delay in children with craniosynostosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

= 85.8%). CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings indicate that approximately one in three children with CS presents some degree of motor delay, reinforcing the need for standardized motor assessments, particularly during the preoperative period. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Craniosynostosis (CS) is a congenital condition that may impair neuropsychomotor development due to anatomical and functional brain alterations. • Previous studies have reported heterogeneous findings on motor outcomes in children with CS, but no systematic review or meta-analysis had consolidated the prevalence of motor delay, particularly in the preoperative period. WHAT IS NEW: • This meta-analysis provides the first pooled estimate of motor delay prevalence in children with non‑syndromic CS, showing that approximately one in three children (36%; 95% CI: 28-44%) presents with motor delay before surgery. • The findings highlight the high frequency of motor impairment across all suture subtypes and underscore the urgent need for standardized preoperative motor screening and early multidisciplinary intervention.