Craniofacial Anthropometry in Newborns and Infants

Abstract

Objective: The face is involved in many syndromes of dysmorphogenesis. The soft tissue facial landmarks are known to be influenced by age, race and sex and it is imperative to identify a balance between them before reconstructive surgery. Further, with knowledge of standard facial traits, an individualized norm can be established to optimize facial attractiveness.

Material & Methods: Measurements were made on 60 infants (30 males and 30 females) aged between 1-4 months and 60 newborns (30 males and 30 females) with a view to establish the criterion of facial anthropometry for this age group in North Indians. A special emphasis was given in this study to sexual dimorphism.

Findings: The mean value and range for all the parameters was determined for the North Indian population. A statistically significant sexual dimorphism was noted to exist in ear length (P<0.01) and length of the philtrum (P<0.05). Philtral-commissural ratio was determined for North Indians, philtrum width=oral width/3.2.

Conclusion: The local values derived from well defined populations should be used as reference in the evaluation of a case with dimorphic features. This study demonstrates the existence of a partial positive correlation between philtral width and oral width, i.e. when one increases the other also increases and vice versa. The Philtral-commissural relationship is expected to assist in planning philtral construction in cleft lip patients.