RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the natural head position (NHP), mean sagittal skeletal discrepancy, and craniocervical posture in children presenting to tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthodontics, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan, from January to April 2022. METHODOLOGY: A total of 121 participants, of either gender aged 11 to 15 years, were selected for this study. The mean age of the participants was 13.4 ± 1.2 years, and their average Frankfort mandibular plane angles (FH/ML) were recorded. Data collection took place following approval from the Ethics Review Board (ERB), and verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants. Cephalometric radiographs were taken in the natural head position (NHP) for all 121 participants. Based on their ANB angles, the participants were categorised into skeletal classes I, II, and III. The study assessed and compared variables such as head posture, craniocervical posture, and sagittal craniofacial morphology. RESULTS: The study included a sample of 121 children with a mean age of 13.4 ± 1.2 years. Among the participants, 58% were males, while 42% were females. Based on their ANB angles, participants were classified into skeletal classes I (n=44), II (n=73), and III (n=4). The correlation analysis between craniofacial posture, natural head position, and sagittal skeletal classes (I, II, and III) did not reveal any statistically significant results. Moreover, within each skeletal class, there were no significant differences observed in craniocervical posture between males and females when considering demographic variables. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that there is no discernible difference in the craniocervical posture of young Pakistani children aged 11 to 15 years, regardless of gender, in relation to skeletal relationships in classes I, II, and III. These findings suggest that sagittal skeletal discrepancies may not significantly impact craniocervical posture in this particular age group. KEY WORDS: Craniocervical posture, Sagittal discrepancy, Natural head position.
