Craniofacial Anthropometric Analysis in Down Syndrome

Abstract

To determine, in a representative sample of young patients with Down syndrome, the specificity of craniofacial anthropometric profile for the syndrome, which can be used in the diagnosis, monitoring of growth and eventual plastic surgical procedures in the cranio-facial region and to identify anthropometric variables which best discriminate group of patients with Down syndrome from healthy persons. Limited Asian reports are available, and may not be able to be extrapolated for use in our local population, due to a differing mix of ethnicities. Hence, the present study was conducted to analyze the craniofacial anthropometric characteristics of Down syndrome in South Indian patients. The present study was conducted on 100 subjects of South Indian origin. Using non-invasive method of craniofacial anthropometry, six craniofacial anthropometric measurements were performed and four indices were calculated in 50 Down syndrome patients and 50 age and sex matched controls, aged 1-18 years. Stepwise forward discriminant function analysis identified a subset of three variables, namely cephalic index, index of size of head and morphological upper facial index which could accurately classify subjects with Down syndrome. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of anthropometric craniofacial pattern profiles in defining abnormal craniofacial dimensions in Down syndrome patients.