Abstract
ContextLongitudinal assessment of cranial dimensions of growing children provides healthcare professionals with information about normal and deviating growth as well as treatment outcome.ObjectiveTo give an overview of soft tissue–based methods for quantitative longitudinal assessment of cranial dimensions in children until age 6 years and to assess the reliability of these methods in studies with good methodological quality.Data sourcePubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched. A manual search was performed to check for additional relevant studies.Study selectionPrimary publications on facial growth and treatment outcomes in children younger than age 6 years were included.Data extractionIndependent data extraction was performed by two observers. A quality assessment instrument was used to determine methodological quality. Methods used in studies with good methodological quality were assessed for reliability expressed as the magnitude of the measurement error and the correlation coefficient between repeated measurements.ResultsIn total, 165 studies were included, forming three groups of methods: head circumference anthropometry, direct anthropometry, and 2D photography and 3D imaging techniques (surface laser scanning and stereophotogrammetry). In general, the measurement error was below 2 mm, and correlation coefficients were very good.ConclusionVarious methods for measuring cranial dimensions have shown to be reliable. Stereophotogrammetry is the most versatile method for quantitative longitudinal assessment of cranial dimensions and shapes in children. However, direct anthropometry continues to be the best method for routine clinical assessments of linear cranial dimensions in growing children until age 6 years.
Highlights
Longitudinal assessment of cranial dimensions of growing children provides healthcare professionals with information about normal and deviating growth as well as treatment outcome, for example in cases of deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis [1,2]
The measurement error was below 2 mm, and correlation coefficients were very good
The current systematic review is restricted to studies on cranial evaluation of growth and treatment outcomes in
Summary
Longitudinal assessment of cranial dimensions of growing children provides healthcare professionals with information about normal and deviating growth as well as treatment outcome, for example in cases of deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis [1,2]. Accurate quantitative evaluation of cranial dimensions by comparison of an individual patient to normative values can provide insight into an underlying pathologic process or create a basis for treatment planning, as in cases of autism and hydrocephalus [3,4]. Various methods for quantitative evaluation of craniofacial dimensions have been described for a variety of purposes. Techniques like cone beam computed tomography [11,12], surface laser scanning [13,14], and stereophotogrammetry [15–17] have become available for describing and comparing craniofacial dimensions and shapes, making a diagnosis or planning treatment, and evaluating growth and treatment outcomes
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