The effect of congenital cardiac disease on facial growth in a monozygotic twin pair, studied by stereophotogrammetry

Abstract

The subjects of this report are twin girls who were observed from the age of 12 years to 18 years. One girl suffered from a persistent truncus arteriosus type IV, for which surgery was not deemed advisable. Considerable differences in general physique were noticeable between the twins. Annual growth records of standing height and weight were maintained and at the same time a special stereophotogrammetric technique was used to measure facial size three-dimensionally, again showing marked differences in size. The dentitions were recorded less frequently using orthodontic study models and tooth size was measured. Blood characteristics suggested a probability of 92 per cent that the twins were monozygotic.