Cephalo-facial Dimensions Research Articles

The Influence of Household Size on Growth Pattern of Children Aged 5-12 Years from Kazaure Emirate, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Anthropometry is the measurement of different parts of the body and is an indicator of nutritional and health status. Socio-economic variables such as income, education, birth order, family size, and urbanization are associated with the physical development of children. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of house-hold (family) size on the growth pattern of children aged 5-12 years from Kazaure emirate, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A stadiometer was used to measure height to the nearest 0.1 cm and weight to the nearest 0.5 kg. A non-elastic measuring tape was used for the measurement of head, neck, chest, mid upper arm, hip, waist and calf circumferences to the nearest 0.1cm respectively. A Harpenden skin fold caliper was used for the measurement of biceps and triceps skin fold thicknesses to the nearest 0.1 mm respectively. It was a cross-sectional survey comprising of 863 pupils of Hausa ethnic group randomly selected from public primary schools in Kazaure emirate aged 5 - 12years. Males of household size between1-2, had higher values of HT, WT and body circumferences than females except hip circumference with statistical significant difference p<0.05 while females had higher values of biceps and triceps skinfold thicknesses with statistical difference p<0.05. Males of household size >2, had higher values of HT, WT, BMI and body circumferences than females with statistical difference (p<0.05) while females had higher values of skinfold thickness and HC with statistical difference (p=0.01). Males of household size 1-2, had higher values of cephalofacial dimensions than females with statistical difference (p<0.05) while females had higher values of nasal height and cephalic index than males with statistical difference p<0.05. Males of household size >2, had higher values of cephalofacial dimensions than females with statistical difference p<0.05 while females had higher values of NH and FI with statistical difference p<0.05. Males of household size 1-2 and >2, had higher values of upper and lower limbs dimensions than females with statistical difference p<0.05. In conclusion, it was observed that males grew better than females and, children from small family size had better growth than those from large family size.
 Keywords: Age, Household-size, Growth, Kazaure emirate, Nigeria

Correlation of cephalo-facial parameters with body height in indian and african students of a university in North India

Introduction: In forensic anthropology, body height or stature estimation is important for identification of missing persons. Stature has a proportional relationship with different parts of the human body including cephalo-facial region. The cephalo-facial indices are different for different people. Therefore, they may help in stature reconstruction and identification of a person. The study was conducted to find out if there is any correlation between four cephalo-facial parameters and body height and to derive regression formulae in Indian and African students. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 170 students of a University in North India belonging to two different races, i.e., Indian (85) and African (85). Stature and four cephalo-facial dimensions, i.e., maximum head length (MHL), horizontal head circumference (HHC), morphological facial length (MFL) and bigonial diameter (BD) were measured. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 15. Results: In both Indian and African students all the four cephalo-facial parameters, i.e., MHL, HHC, MFL, and BD showed a positive correlation with stature (P < 0.001). It was found that in Indians the strongest correlation of stature was with MHL and least correlation was with HHC. In Africans, the highest correlation was observed with MHL and lowest with BD. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, it was found that among the cephalo-facial parameters, cephalic parameters are more reliable than facial parameters. Out of the two cephalic parameters HHC was found to be more reliable than MHL in the estimation of stature in both Indian and African students. The regression equations derived turned out to be population/race-specific and therefore, cannot be generalized for all population groups.

Phenotypic diversity and history of the Congo Basin populations: Equatorial Guinea, Bantu Speaking Central Africans and African Pygmies

Background African Pygmy Populations (APP) are believed to be one of the first groups of the Congo Basin rainforest peoples to separate from the rest of modern humanity. The arrival of Bantu speaking agriculturalists from 5,000 BP led to the formation of a large number of ethnic complexes in Central Africa and the Atlantic coastal area, mainly due to a one-way flow of pygmy women. There are now only a few small contingents of African Pygmy population groups who are mixed or who have almost disappeared as a result of migratory flows from Cameroon. Aims We analysed the adult phenotypic diversity of 9 populations (17 groups of both sexes) of the Congo basin and Bioko Island, which were anthropometrically characterised in 1948. The phenotypic clusters that we detected, which we interpret as likely mixing of local Pygmy populations and Bantus, may be useful as references for future studies, particularly genetics. Subjects and methods The matrix of inter-distances between populations was generated, using the 21 variables, with the Euclidean distance between the mean vectors relating to the standardised variables. When the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) was used separately in men and women, the phylogenetic trees showed a clear separation between populations. Results The body measurements that most effectively distinguished the groups are linear dimensions and the width of the hips and mean thoracic circumference. In this study, the cephalo-facial dimensions were of little value in identifying the groups. Conclusions The samples of Equatorial Guinea show a major inter-group overlap, and considerable intra-group variations. There are also notable differences amongst African Pygmy populations in terms of height, but not in body proportions.

Estimation of Adult Human Height from the Bigonial Width and Mandibular Arch

Introduction An individual's sex, age and height are of great importance in legal medicine, especially with regard to identifying corpses. Height estimates are based on the proportionality relationship that exists between an individual's height and his various body parts. Objective To analyze the relationship between mandible measurements (length of the mandibular arch and bigonial width) and height. Materials and methods This study was conducted on the population of the Mussuca quilombo settlement, which is in the municipality of Laranjeiras, state of Sergipe, Brazil. The sample was composed of 300 individuals: 150 women and 150 men aged between 18 and 85 years old. The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Scienes SPSS®, version 19.0, for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, EUA) and Excel 2010 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). Results The correlation coefficients were found to be low, with weak correlations between the measurements of the mandibula and height. Analysis on these values shows a very small positive correlation between height and the length of the mandibular arch among males (r = 0.177; p &lt; 0.05) and among females (r = 0.271; p = 0.001); and between height and bigonial width among females (r = 0.169; p &lt; 0,05). Conclusion Height may be estimated less exactly in cases in which only cephalofacial dimensions are available for legal medical examination.

Estimation of Stature from Cephalo-Facial Dimensions: A Cross Sectional Study in Central India

Estimation of Stature from Cephalo-Facial Dimensions: A Cross Sectional Study in Central India

Age-specific sex differences in weight, height and cephalofacial dimensions among Ebonyi Indigenes in Nigeria

Age-specific sex differences in weight, height and cephalofacial dimensions among Ebonyi Indigenes in Nigeria

Preliminary cephalometric study of the relationship between facial morphology and sex

Morphology of the face depends on many factors, such as sex, ethnicity, race, climate, nutrition, genetic constitution and socio-economic status. In the developed countries, there is well established database on facial anthropometry and for the purpose of identification. In Ghana however, there is very little documented information on cephalometric indices for biometric and forensic purposes. This study therefore, aimed at establishing baseline data to assess the relationship between sex using upper, lower and total cephalometric indices. One hundred participants made up of sixty males and forty females from KNUST were recruited for the study. Linear facial anthropometry were taken using calibrated Shahe digital calipers whiles participants sat with head in natural position. The facial anthropometric measurements were generally higher in males than in females. Upper facial height, facial width, nasal width, biocular diameter, lower facial height, lip length and total facial height were statistically significant and (p < 0.05). The present study shows the existence of statistically significant sexual dimorphism in the study population using cephalo-facial dimensions.

Can stature be estimated from tooth crown dimensions? A study in a sample of South-East Asians

ObjectiveStature estimation is an important step during medico-legal and forensic examination. Difficulty arises when highly decomposed and mutilated dead bodies with fragmentary remains are brought for forensic identification like in mass disaster or airplane crash. The body remains could be just a jaw with some teeth. The objective of this study was to explore if the stature of an individual can be determined from the tooth crown dimensions. DesignA total of 201 volunteers participated in this study. The stature and clinical crown dimensions (length, mesiodistal and labiolingual diameters) of maxillary anterior teeth were measured. Correlation between crown dimensions and stature was analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Regression analysis was used to get equations for estimation of stature from crown measurements. The regression equations were applied in the same sample of volunteers that was used to obtain the equations. The reliability and accuracy of the equations were checked in another sample of volunteers. ResultsLength and mesiodistal diameter of the crown of central incisors and canines showed significant albeit low to moderate correlations (0.35–0.45) with the stature. The correlation co-efficient values were higher (as high as 0.537) when summation of the measurements was taken for analysis. The regression equations when applied to the same and a test sample of volunteers revealed that differences between actual and estimated stature can be as low as 0.01 to as much as 16.50cm. ConclusionThe findings suggest that although there are some degrees of positive correlations between stature and tooth crown dimensions, stature estimation from the tooth crown dimensions cannot provide the accuracy of estimation as required in forensic situations. The stature estimation accuracy using tooth crown dimensions is comparable to that of cephalo-facial dimensions but inferior to that of long bones.

Estimation of stature by cephalometric facial dimensions in skeletonized bodies: study from a sample modern Colombians skeletal remains

Estimation of stature is an important factor in the identification of the deceased from unknown fragmentary and dismembered remains. The skull sometimes is the only remain available for identification. The aim of the present study was to estimate the stature of an individual from cephalo-facial dimensions. The study was carried out on 54 males and 16 females from the bone collection of the contemporary Colombian population that belongs to the National Institute of Legal Medicine. Ten cephalo-facial measurements were also made on each subject. The stature of each individual in centimeters was taken from the registration and/or from the autopsy document. The results indicate that the measurements N-M (p<0.001) and G-Op, Ba-N, Ma-SN (p<0.05) are correlated with stature for males. The correlation between these measures with stature for females was not significant. However, the formulae obtained from univariate linear regression analysis using cephalo-facial measurements showed a greater degree of reliability for estimation of stature in males and females.

Effect of Pregnancy Upon Facial Anthropometrics and Respirator Fit Testing

Workers required to wear respirators must undergo additional respirator fit testing if a significant change in body weight occurs. Approximately 10% of working women of reproductive age will be pregnant and experience a significant change in weight, yet the effect of pregnancy-associated weight gain on respirator fit is unknown. Cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements and quantitative fit testing of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFR) of 15 pregnant women and 15 matched, non-pregnant women were undertaken for comparisons between the groups. There were no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women with respect to cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements or N95 FFR quantitative fit tests. Healthy pregnant workers, who adhere to the recommended weight gain limits of pregnancy, are unlikely to experience an increase in cephalo-facial dimensions that would mandate additional N95 FFR fit testing above that which is normally required on an annual basis.

Determination of sex using cephalo-facial dimensions by discriminant function and logistic regression equations

The aim is to bring together the new anthropological techniques and knowledge about populations that are least known. The present study was performed on 901 healthy Gujarati volunteers (676 males, 225 females) within the age group of 21–50 years with the aim to examine whether any correlation exists between cephalofacial measures naming maximum head length, maximum head breadth, bizygomatic breadth, bigonial diameter, morphological facial length, physiognomic facial length, biocular breadth and total cephalofacial height and sex determination. Also, discriminant function and logistic regression methods were verified to check the best accuracy level for sex determination. Mean values of cephalofacial dimensions were higher in males than in females. Best reliable results were obtained by using logistic regression equations in males (92%) and discriminant function in females (80.9%). Our study conclusively establishes the existence of a definite statistically significant sexual dimorphism in Gujarati population using cephalo-facial dimensions.

Estimation of Stature from Cephalo-Facial Dimensions by Regression Analysis in Gujarati Population

During investigation in cases of missing body parts or unknown identity, the expert is often required to opine about the personal identification of the body. Stature of a person is a useful indicator of physical identity. Stature estimation leads to a positive identification of the living or when only cephalo-facial are brought under examination. The current study dealt with developing regression equation for stature estimation from cephalo-facial dimensions and to find out the correlation among body height with each cephalo-facial dimensions of Gujarati people. This leads to positive identification of the living or cadaver. Eight cephalo-facial dimensions of 901 Gujarati (676 male and 225 female) namely maximum head length, maximum head breadth, bizygomatic breadth, bigonial diameter, morphological facial length, physiognomic facial length, and total cephalo-facial height and biocular breadth along with body height was measured. It was marked that the mean stature and cephalo-facial measurements of males were significantly higher than that of females. The correlation coefficient (r) of all cephalo-facial dimensions were less than 0.5 which means stature estimation from cephalo-facial dimensions is not reliable. Multiple regression equations are more reliable than linear regression equations.

Stature Estimation of the Igbos Using Cephalo-Facial Anthropometry

Estimation of stature is one of the biological profiles used in the identification of individuals in cases of mass disasters, plane crash, fatal auto crash, bombing, homicides, and in crime investigations. It is an important tool in Medico legal practice. In the present study an attempt has been made to derive regression formulae to determine stature from cephalofacial dimensions. Informed consent was obtained and measurements were taken following standard protocols. The prediction function was derived through linear regression and multiple regressions for each of the measurement with stature, for the general population and for males and females separately. Cephalo-facial dimensions of 211 subjects females n=123 and males n=88 with mean age 23.58 ± 4.95 belonging to the Igbo population of Nigeria were studied. Eleven cephalo-facial measurements including stature were taken. The mean stature of both genders put together was 167.55 ± 9.10 cm while that of females and males were 163.17 ± 7.64 cm and 173.66 ± 7.30 cm respectively. Males were significantly taller than the females (p<0.0001). Accuracy of determination ‘R’ of stature from Cephalo-facial dimensions was highest for IOB and EBB in both genders put together; it was also highest using IOB in the females while MFH and MHB yielded that of the males.

Study of some face physical dimensions in Iranian boys

Anthropometry is applied in medical profession, such as maxillofacial surgery, growth and development studies, plastic surgery, bioengineering and non-medical branches such as respiratory equipment and eye-glasses industries. The aim of this study was to determine face physical dimension and cephalo-facial anthropometric ratios in 4 to 11-year-old boys of Iranian Kurmanj population. This cross sectional analytical study was conducted randomly on 564 boys from North Khorasan (bojnourd), with normal face patterns. Cephalo-facial ratios and face physical dimension were estimated and compared. The regression line and the growth coefficient were determined for each parameter. Finally, the mean values of these parameters were determined. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Paired t-test was used for statistic analysis. Anthropometric results obtained from 4 to 11-year old Kurmanj boys residing in the city of Bojnourd show that there is a special discipline in growth of different parts of the face and skull. We reached formulas (Table 2) that may have a wide range of applications, such as prediction of facial situation of an individual before or after his/her present situation. Such predictions can be helpful in forensic medicine, for instance in finding the lost kids. Reaching a normal range for face dimensions through studies about growth will play an important role in maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery as well as in the study of growth disorders. Based on our findings in Kurmanj 4 to 11-year boys, we concluded that by age, craniofacial dimensions change at different rates and different craniofacial dimensions do not grow at consistent rates. Some parts grow slower as compared to others. There are different factors, such as ecologic, racial, age and sex besides all genetic factors that influence the human cephalo-facial dimensions and the way of its growth and development. Since the Iranian peoples is a compound one and consists of different races, and there are a wide variety of body dimensions in different parts of Iran, it is necessary to conduct more studies according to the geographical factors and the facial and skull anthropometric data shall be studied in different tribes of Iran. Key words: Anthropometry, cephalic, physical dimensions, face.

Estimation of stature from cephalo-facial dimensions by regression analysis in Indo-Mauritian population

Determination of stature from fragmented human remains is vital part of forensic investigation for the purpose of identification. The present study was aimed to modelling the stature both for male and female separately on the basis of craniofacial dimensions. The study was conducted on 150 young and healthy students (75 males and 75 females) in the age group ranging from 20 to 28 years. The stature and fourteen cephalo-facial dimensions were measured on each subject by using standard anthropometric instruments. It is remarked that the stature and craniofacial measurements of males were significantly higher than that of females, except for nasal height where no significant difference was observed ( p > 0.05). The correlation coefficients (r) of all cephalo-facial dimensions were less than 0.5. It means the estimation of stature is not reliable with the help of cephalo-facial dimensions.

Determination of stature from cephalo-facial dimensions in a North Indian population

A forensic medicine specialist, while a conducting medico-legal autopsy, is often asked to opine about the identity of the deceased in unknown fragmentary and dismembered remains. Determination of stature is an important aspect in establishing identity in such cases. Sometimes, cephalo-facial remains are brought for postmortem and forensic examination. The aim of the present study was to estimate the stature from cephalo-facial dimensions in a sample of 252 Koli male adolescents from North India. As a part of Indian caste system, Kolis are an endogamous group of North India. Along with stature, sixteen cephalo-facial measurements were taken on each subject. The findings suggest that all the cephalo-facial measurements are significantly correlated with stature ( P < 0.001, P < 0.01); the measurements of the cephalic region have strong correlation with stature than those of the facial region. This was also supported by the regression analysis, which shows that the cephalic measurements give better prediction of stature. Reliability of the regression formulae was checked by comparing the estimated and actual stature within the same sample (genetically homogeneous population, n = 252) and in another sample taken from a mixed population of North India (genetically heterogeneous population, n = 90).