Lacunar skull deformity and intelligence

Prognostic criteria to be utilized in the selection of neonates with myelomeningoceles for early treatment have been proposed by Lorber. Stein et al. suggested modification of the selection factors based on the presence or absence of lacunar skull deformity (LSD) which they thought to be a good predictor of subsequent intellectual development. However, disagreement exists regarding the value of LSD as a useful criterion in early selection for treatment because Lonton et al. found only minor differences in intelligence among groups of patients with varying degrees of the deformity. In this report, a population of children with myelomeningoceles was studied in an effort to reach definite conclusions regarding the association between LSD and intelligence.