Decreased head circumference at birth associated with maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy on the Japanese prospective birth cohort study.

Maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy impairs fetal body size, including head circumference (HC) at birth; however, the mechanism still remains unclear. This analysis using a large prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of maternal tobacco exposure on their offspring's HC and the relationship with placental weight ratio (PWR) and placental abnormalities. Parents-children pairs (n = 84,856) were included from the 104,065 records of the Japan Environmental and Children's Study. Maternal perinatal clinical and social information by self-administered questionnaires, offspring's body size, and placental information were collected. Data were analyzed with binominal logistic regression analysis and path analysis. Logistic regression showed significantly elevated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (1.653, 95% CI 1.387-1.969) for the impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on their offspring's smaller HC at birth. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the non-smoking group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC. Path analysis showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased the offspring's HC directly, but not indirectly via PWR or placental abnormalities. The quitting smoking during pregnancy group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC than the non-smoking group, suggesting that quitting smoking may reduce their offspring's neurological impairment even after pregnancy.

Developmental features and predicting airway failure risk in critically ill children with mandibular hypoplasia using 3D computational tomographic analysis.

In children with mandibular hypoplasia, airway management is challenging. However, detailed cephalometric assessment data for this population are sparse. The aim of this study was to find risk factors for predicting difficult airways in children with mandibular hypoplasia, and compare upper airway anatomical differences using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) between children with mandibular hypoplasia and demographically matched healthy controls. There were significant discrepancies in relative tongue position (P < 0.01) and anterior distance of the hyoid bone (P < 0.01) between patients with mandibular hypoplasia and healthy controls. All mandibular measures were significantly different between the two groups, except for the height of the ramus of the mandible. After adjusting for age and sex, the anterior distance of hyoid bone and inferior pogonial angle were significantly associated with a difficult airway (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02). Quantitative analysis of upper airway structures revealed significant discrepancies, including relative tongue position, hyoid distance, and mandible measures between patients with mandibular hypoplasia and healthy controls. The anterior distance of the hyoid bone and inferior pogonial angle may be risk factors for a difficult airway in patients with mandibular hypoplasia.

Head circumference trajectory in children with perinatal stroke.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal stroke is a leading cause of hemiparetic cerebral palsy and lifelong disability. Neurodevelopmental outcomes are difficult to predict and markers of long-term poor outcome continue to be investigated. Deceleration in growth of head circumference has been associated with worse developmental outcomes in neonatal brain injury. We hypothesized that perinatal stroke would result in decreased rates of head growth during childhood that would be associated with worse developmental outcomes. METHODS: Patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and arterial presumed perinatal ischemic stroke were identified from a population-based research cohort (Alberta Perinatal Stroke Project). Demographics and occipital-frontal circumference data were collected from medical records. Head growth was compared to typically developing control charts using a 2-tailed t test. The Fisher exact test was used to examine associations between Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measures (PSOM) scores and occipital-frontal head circumference. RESULTS: Three hundred fifteen occipital-frontal head circumference measurements were collected from 102 patients (48 female, 54 male), over a median of 3.2 years (standard deviation = 5.18, range = 0-18.3). After 3 months for female patients and 1 year for male patients, occipital-frontal head circumference deviated and remained below normal growth trajectories (P < .05) with a large effect size (Cohen d >0.8). Poor outcome (PSOM ≥ 1) was associated with smaller occipital-frontal head circumference (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Head growth deceleration is observed in children with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke and is associated with poor outcome. Head circumference may be a tool to alert clinicians to the potential of abnormal neurologic outcome.

Morphometric characteristics of cervical vertebrae in subjects with short, normal, and long faces.

PURPOSE: The prolonged change in the head posture alters the morphological characteristics of cervical vertebrae. The difference in the head posture among subjects with short, normal, and long anterior facial heights might have a significant influence on the morphological characteristics of cervical vertebrae. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of cervical vertebrae in subjects with short, normal, and long faces. METHODS: Based on Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA) on lateral cephalograms, 135 subjects were equally divided into three groups, i.e. Group I [Short face], II [Normal face], and III [Long face]. The angular variables like Atlas-dens angle (ADA), Pars interarticularis-dens angle (PDA), Pars interarticularis-vertebrae angle of C3 vertebrae (PVA3), Pars interarticularis-vertebrae angle of C4 vertebrae (PVA4), Lamina-Pars interarticularis angle of C2 vertebrae (LP2), Lamina-Pars interarticularis angle of C3 vertebrae (LP3), and Lamina-Pars interarticularis angle of C4 vertebrae (LP4) in the first four cervical vertebrae were measured, analyzed, and compared. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Bonferroni, and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were used. The P value of 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. RESULTS: All parameters except PDA and PVA3 were comparable among the groups. The PDA was 54.350 ± 1.870, 57.890 ± 1.550, and 60.290 ± 2.830 in Group I, II, and III, respectively; these differences were statistically significant [P < 0.001]. The PVA3 was 42.700 ± 5.640 in Group I, 45.850 ± 3.820 in Group II, and 45.590 ± 5.530 in Group III subjects that were also statistically significant [P < 0.01]. A fairly strong positive correlation was observed between FMA and PDA. CONCLUSION: A significant difference was found in the PDA among subjects with short, normal, and long faces. The vertical height of the face had a strong correlation with the morphology of axis vertebra.

Long-Term Orthognathic Considerations in the Pierre Robin Sequence Patient.

BACKGROUND: One of the arguments against early intervention for micrognathia in Pierre Robin sequence is the concept that the growth of the mandible will eventually "catch up." Long-term growth of the mandible and occlusal relationships of conservatively managed Pierre Robin sequence patients remain unknown. In this study, the authors evaluated the orthognathic surgery requirements for Pierre Robin sequence patients at skeletal maturity. METHODS: Orthognathic surgical requirements of conservatively managed Pierre Robin sequence and isolated cleft patients (aged ≥13 years) at two institutions were reviewed and analyzed using t test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the Pierre Robin sequence patients (n = 64; mean age ± SD, 17.9 ± 2.9 years), 65.6 percent were syndromic (primarily Stickler and velocardiofacial syndrome), 96.9 percent had a cleft palate, and 39.1 percent required orthognathic surgery at skeletal maturity. Nonsyndromic and syndromic Pierre Robin sequence patients demonstrated no differences in occlusal relationships or mandibular surgery frequency. The majority of Pierre Robin sequence patients requiring mandibular advancement had a class II occlusion. Comparison of Pierre Robin sequence patients to isolated cleft palate patients (n = 17) revealed a comparable frequency of orthognathic surgery between the two; however, Pierre Robin sequence patients did require mandibular advancement surgery at a greater frequency than cleft palate patients (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that 39.1 percent of conservatively managed Pierre Robin sequence patients required orthognathic surgery at skeletal maturity, of which the vast majority required mandibular advancement for class II malocclusion. These data suggest that mandibular micrognathia in conservatively managed Pierre Robin sequence patients may not resolve over time and may require surgical intervention. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Dental and soft tissue changes following extraction of second premolars in females with bimaxillary protrusion: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Bimaxillary protrusion is a condition wherein esthetic concerns are the main reason behind seeking orthodontic treatment. AIM: The aim of this retrospective cephalometric study was to evaluate the soft tissue profile and dental changes among female Saudi bimaxillary protrusion patients treated with extraction of all second premolars followed by retraction of the anterior teeth. Subjects and Methods: Pre and posttreatment cephalometric radiographs of adult female patients (ages 18-30 years) who underwent orthodontic therapy for Class I bimaxillary protrusion were obtained. Data were analyzed with SPSS® software. A paired t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficients were conducted with the statistical significance set at 95% (P value < 0.05). RESULTS: At posttreatment, there was an overall decrease in the mean values among the majority of the soft tissue and dental cephalometric angles and linear measurements. Among soft tissue variables, there was a marginal increase in the upper lip length by 1.49 mm (P < 0.001), and the nasolabial angle increased markedly by 7.64° (P < 0.001). Similarly, a marked increase in retroclination by 5.95° (P < 0.001) was observed among the dental variables. Conversely, no significant changes were noted in the lower incisors. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between all the different dental variables. Within the soft tissue variables, there was a significant positive correlation between changes in the upper lip protrusion, lower lip protrusion, upper lip thickness, and the distance from the upper and lower lips to the S-line.

Respiratory and sleep characteristics based on frequency distribution of craniofacial skeletal patterns in Korean adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency distribution of various craniofacial skeletal patterns in a large Korean adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) population, and to find a relationship between craniofacial risks and respiratory and sleep characteristics. METHODS: A total of 1226 OSA patients (mean age of 44.9±13.3 years) were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. All subjects were evaluated for gender and age using fourteen polysomnographic, five cephalometric, two comorbid variables, and three self-reported indexes. Frequency analysis was used to screen the distribution of main skeletal patterns and subtypes. Intergroup comparisons were performed using independent t-test, chi-square test or analysis of variance. Univariable regression analysis was done to find a relationship between skeletal risks and OSA characteristics. RESULTS: The frequency distribution of skeletal patterns was as follows: sagittally 57.2%, 32.3%, and 10.5% of Class II, Class I, and Cass III; vertically 54.0%, 26.7%, and 19.3% of hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent type, respectively. Polysomnographic, symptomatic, and comorbid variables showed no differences among patients with different skeletal patterns. Conversely, skeletal variables showed no differences according to OSA severity. The prevalence of highly risky skeletal pattern of hyperdivergent Class II was more likely to be females (OR 4.52, P < .01) and less obese (OR 3.21, P < .01), irrelevant to OSA and sleep characteristics. CONCLUSION: Characteristic frequency distributions of skeletal patterns and subtypes were observed in adult OSA patients however, no statistical association was found between the skeletal patterns and OSA characteristics due to the large interindividual variation.

Influence of sex and body mass index on facial soft tissue thickness measurements in an adult population of southwest of Iran.

PURPOSE: Facial soft tissues have different thicknesses among different genders and ethnicities. This study was aimed to investigate the association of sex, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) with facial soft tissue thickness measurements using magnetic resonance imaging to make a database for the Iranian southwest population (for Lur and Arab populations). METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, measurements of superficial soft tissues were taken at nine points of midline including glabella (GB), nasion (NA), end of nasals (END), mid-philtrum (MID), upper lip margin (UL), lower lip margin (LL), chin-lip fold (CLF), mental eminence (ME) and beneath chin (BC), eight points of axial sections including frontal tubers (FT), supraorbital margin (SO), external orbital margin (EX) and zygomatic arch (ZY) on both sides, and also two points of coronal section including both sides of the masseteric region (MST). RESULTS: For association of sex with the measurements, NA, MID, UL, LL and BC were significantly higher in men (Pc < 0.05). The most accurate measurement was MID with area under curve (AUC) = 85.03%, followed by UL (81.21%), NA (72.18%), LL (71.19%) and BC (68.10%). For association of ethnicity with BMI and measurements, higher amounts of GB and MID were associated in Arab patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed significant association of soft tissue thickness measurements with sex, BMI and ethnicities of southwest of Iran. MID had the most diagnostic value for male sex. The results of this study can be used in forensic medicine to diagnose the legal and biological identity of the corpse.

Cerebral Palsy in Children With Congenital Zika Syndrome: A 2-Year Neurodevelopmental Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the 2-year neurodevelopmental outcome in children with cerebral palsy associated with congenital Zika (CZ) and explore variables associated with a more severe presentation. METHODS: Data on 69 children with cerebral palsy associated with CZ, followed in a neurorehabilitation hospital, who consecutively attended the neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years of age, were collected. Bayley III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, and Gross Motor Function Classification System were used for the outcome evaluation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed. RESULTS: The median age at follow-up was of 24.0 (23-32) months. Only 3 (4.3%) children were not microcephalic. The majority presented with bilateral (94.2%), spastic (100.0%), Gross Motor Function Classification System grade IV or V (92.8%) cerebral palsy, epilepsy (73.1%), extremely low performances on cognitive (94.2%), language (95.7%), and motor (95.7%) Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Test scores. The median Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination score was of 21.0 (range 9-75). There was a correlation between birth head circumference with the cognitive (r = 0.3, P < .01), language (r = 0.3, P < .01), and motor (r = 0.3, P < .01) Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Test scores, as well as with the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination score (r = 0.2, P < .03). An association was observed between an inferior median Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination score with congenital microcephaly (P = .04), arthrogryposis (P = .02), and epilepsy in the first year (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Cerebral palsy related to CZ presents with a severe global impairment at a 2-year follow-up. Birth head circumference, arthrogryposis, and early epilepsy are associated with a worse outcome and may be considered as prognostic markers. These findings are important for the neurorehabilitation planning, parents' guiding, and future prognostic studies.

Impact of extracardiac pathology on head growth in fetuses with congenital heart defect.

OBJECTIVE: Neurodevelopmental delay is frequently encountered in children with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Fetuses with major CHD have a smaller head circumference (HC), irrespective of altered cerebral flow or brain oxygenation. This cohort study compared head growth in cases with isolated vs those with non-isolated CHD to evaluate the effect of additional pathology on head size in these fetuses. METHOD: All CHD cases diagnosed prenatally in the period January 2002-July 2014 were selected from our regional registry, PRECOR. Cases of multiple pregnancy, and those affected by maternal diabetes, severe fetal structural brain anomalies or functional CHD were excluded. Subjects were divided into groups according to whether the CHD was isolated, and the non-isolated group was subdivided into three groups: cases with genetic anomaly, extracardiac malformation or placental pathology. In both isolated and non-isolated CHD groups, CHDs were also grouped according to their potential effect on aortic flow and oxygen saturation. Mean HC Z-scores at 20 weeks and increase or decrease (Δ) of HC Z-scores over the course of pregnancy were compared between isolated and non-isolated groups, using mixed linear regression models. RESULTS: Included were 916 cases of CHD diagnosed prenatally, of which 378 (41.3%) were non-isolated (37 with placental pathology, 217 with genetic anomaly and 124 with extracardiac malformation). At 20 weeks, non-isolated cases had significantly lower HC Z-scores than did isolated cases (Z-score = -0.70 vs -0.03; P < 0.001) and head growth over the course of pregnancy showed a larger decrease in this group (Δ HC Z-score = -0.03 vs -0.01 per week; P = 0.01). Cases with placental pathology had the lowest HC Z-score at 20 weeks (Z-score = -1.29) and the largest decrease in head growth (Δ HC Z-score = -0.06 per week). In CHD subjects with a genetic diagnosis (Z-score = -0.73; Δ HC Z-score = -0.04 per week) and in those with an extracardiac malformation (Z-score = -0.49; Δ HC Z-score = -0.02 per week), HC Z-scores were also lower compared with those in subjects with isolated CHD. CHDs that result in low oxygenation or flow to the brain were present more frequently in isolated than in non-isolated cases. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller HC in fetuses with CHD appears to be associated strongly with additional pathology. Placental pathology and genetic anomaly in particular seem to be important contributors to restricted head growth. This effect appears to be irrespective of altered hemodynamics caused by the CHD. Previously reported smaller HC in CHD should, in our opinion, be attributed to additional pathology. Neurodevelopment studies in infants with CHD should, therefore, always differentiate between isolated and non-isolated cases. © 2019 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Adolescent dental arch development among Southern Chinese in Hong Kong: a geometric morphometric approach.

This study aimed to investigate changes in types of dental arch form during adolescence and explore adolescent changes in size and form of dental arch. Hong Kong Chinese were recruited and digital dental arch models were obtained at ages 12, 15, and 18 years. Geometric morphometrics was used to investigate adolescent changes of dental arch form. There were 225 participants from whom digital models at all three age periods were available. Three types of dental arch form were identified through clustering. Significant changes (p < 0.001) in types of dental arch form were noted during age 12-18 years. During age 12-18 years, significant changes in centroid size and form of dental arch were observed (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed during 15-18 years. Adolescent changes of dental arch form occur primarily during age 12-15 years, whereas dental arch form was relatively stable during age 15-18 years.

Arch parameters and dental discrepancy (crowding and spacing) in a sample of an Afro-Colombian population.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in arch length, inter-canine distance, inter-premolar distance, intermolar distance and arch shape between dental discrepancies (crowding and spacing) in a sample of dental casts from the Afro-Colombian population of San Basilio de Palenque. An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 63 subjects aged 11 to 57years, of Afro-Colombian origin, with full dentition from first molar to first molar, without extensive caries or restorations, and excluding casts with defects due to loss. The differences between arch (upper and lower) variables were analyzed according to dental discrepancies. Plaster models digitalized with a TR1OS3 Mono scanner with exactitude (6.9 ± 0.9 pm) and precision (4.5 ± 0.9 pm) were analyzed with Orthonalyzer software. Statistical analyses were done on SPSS software (Version 20 for Windows) and Real Statistics. Spacing discrepancy of68.25% was found for upper arch and 66.66% for lower arch; crowding discrepancy of 19.04% for upper arch and 20.63% for lower arch, and an adequate ratio of 12.69% for both arches. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between arch parameters except for inter-premolar distance on the lower arch. The most frequent arch shape in the population was oval for both upper arch, with 76.19%, and lower arch, with 71.42%. Tooth size was larger in males than females but the difference was not statistically significant.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diferencias en longitud de arco, distancia intercanina, interpremolar, intermolar y la forma de arco entre discrepancias dentales (apiñamiento y espaciamiento), en una muestra de modelos dentales de la población afrocolombiana de San Basilio de Palenque. Se realizó un estudio analítico transversal, en una muestra por conveniencia de 63 sujetos con un rango de edad entre 11 y 57 años, de origen afrocolombiano, quienes tuvieron dentición completa de primer molar a primer molar, sin caries extensas, ni restauraciones; se excluyeron los modelos con defectos por el vaciado. Se analizaron las diferencias entre las variables de los maxilares (superior e inferior) con las discrepancias dentales. Se utilizaron modelos de yeso que fueron digitalizados con el escánerTR1OS3 Mono con una exactitud de (6.9 ± 0.9 pm) y una precisión de (4.5 ± 0.9 pm)y analizados con el software Orthonalyzer. Los análisis estadísticos se llevaron a cabo utilizando el software SPSS (Versión 20 para Windows) y Real Statistics. Se encontró una discrepancia de espaciamiento de un 68,25% para el arco superior y 66,66% en el arco inferior; y una discrepancia de apiñamiento en el arco superior de 19,04% e inferior de 20,63% y una relación adecuada de 12,69% para los dos arcos. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0.05) en los parámetros de arco a excepción de la distancia interpremolar del arco inferior. La forma de arco más frecuente en la población fue ovalada tanto en el arco superior con un 76,19% como en el arco inferior con un 71,42%. En cuanto al tamaño dental, se presentó mayor tamaño en los hombres que en las mujeres, pero este no fue estadísticamente significativo.

Arch parameters and dental discrepancy (crowding and spacing) in a sample of an Afro-Colombian population / Parámetros de arco y discrepancia dental (apiñamiento y espaciamiento) en una muestra de población Afrocolombiana

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in arch length, inter-canine distance, inter-premolar distance, intermolar distance and arch shape between dental discrepancies (crowding and spacing) in a sample of dental casts from the Afro-Colombian population of San Basilio de Palenque. An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 63 subjects aged 11 to 57years, of Afro-Colombian origin, with full dentition from first molar to first molar, without extensive caries or restorations, and excluding casts with defects due to loss. The differences between arch (upper and lower) variables were analyzed according to dental discrepancies. Plaster models digitalized with a TR1OS3 Mono scanner with exactitude (6.9 ± 0.9 pm) and precision (4.5 ± 0.9 pm) were analyzed with Orthonalyzer software. Statistical analyses were done on SPSS software (Version 20 for Windows) and Real Statistics. Spacing discrepancy of68.25% was found for upper arch and 66.66% for lower arch; crowding discrepancy of 19.04% for upper arch and 20.63% for lower arch, and an adequate ratio of 12.69% for both arches. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between arch parameters except for inter-premolar distance on the lower arch. The most frequent arch shape in the population was oval for both upper arch, with 76.19%, and lower arch, with 71.42%. Tooth size was larger in males than females but the difference was not statistically significant.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diferencias en longitud de arco, distancia intercanina, interpremolar, intermolar y la forma de arco entre discrepancias dentales (apiñamiento y espaciamiento), en una muestra de modelos dentales de la población afrocolombiana de San Basilio de Palenque. Se realizó un estudio analítico transversal, en una muestra por conveniencia de 63 sujetos con un rango de edad entre 11 y 57 años, de origen afrocolombiano, quienes tuvieron dentición completa de primer molar a primer molar, sin caries extensas, ni restauraciones; se excluyeron los modelos con defectos por el vaciado. Se analizaron las diferencias entre las variables de los maxilares (superior e inferior) con las discrepancias dentales. Se utilizaron modelos de yeso que fueron digitalizados con el escánerTR1OS3 Mono con una exactitud de (6.9 ± 0.9 pm) y una precisión de (4.5 ± 0.9 pm)y analizados con el software Orthonalyzer. Los análisis estadísticos se llevaron a cabo utilizando el software SPSS (Versión 20 para Windows) y Real Statistics. Se encontró una discrepancia de espaciamiento de un 68,25% para el arco superior y 66,66% en el arco inferior; y una discrepancia de apiñamiento en el arco superior de 19,04% e inferior de 20,63% y una relación adecuada de 12,69% para los dos arcos. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0.05) en los parámetros de arco a excepción de la distancia interpremolar del arco inferior. La forma de arco más frecuente en la población fue ovalada tanto en el arco superior con un 76,19% como en el arco inferior con un 71,42%. En cuanto al tamaño dental, se presentó mayor tamaño en los hombres que en las mujeres, pero este no fue estadísticamente significativo.

Low head circumference during early childhood and its predictors in a semi-urban settlement of Vellore, Southern India.

BACKGROUND: Stunting in developing countries continues to be a major public health problem. Measuring head circumference (HC) during clinical anthropometric assessment can help predict stunting. The aim of this study was to assess burden and determine the predictors of low HC (<- 2 SD) at birth and during first 2 years of life in a semi- urban settlement of Vellore. METHODS: The study uses baseline data and serial HC measurements from the birth cohort of MAL-ED study, where 228 children from Vellore completed follow-up between March 2010 to February 2014. Analysis of baseline, maternal and paternal characteristics, micro-nutrient status and cognition with HC measurements was performed using STATA version 13.0 software. RESULTS: The mean HC (±SD) at 1st, 12th and 24th month were 33.37 (1.29) cm, 42.76 (1.23) cm and 44.9 (1.22) cm respectively. A third of the infants (75/228) had HC less than - 2 SD at first month of life, and on follow-up, 50% of the cohort had HC ≤ -2 SD both at 12th and 24th month. Low HC measurements at all three time-points were observed for 21.6% (46/222) infants. Low HC was significantly associated with stunting in 37.3% (OR = 10.8), 57.3% (OR = 3.1) and 44.4% (OR = 2.6) children at 1st, 12th and 24th month respectively. Bivariate analysis of low HC (<- 2 SD) at 12th month showed a statistically significant association with lower socioeconomic status, low paternal and maternal HC and low maternal IQ. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed maternal (AOR = 0.759, 95% CI = 0.604 to 0.954) and paternal (AOR = 0.734, 95% CI = 0.581 to 0.930) HC to be significantly associated with HC attained by the infant at the end of 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of the children in our cohort had low head circumference (HC) at birth, with one-fifth recording low HC at all time-points until 2 years of age. Low HC was significantly associated with stunting. Paternal and maternal HC predicted HC in children. HC measurement, often less used, can be a simple tool that can be additionally used by clinicians as well as parents/caregivers to monitor child growth.

Uniform 3D meshes to establish normative facial averages of healthy infants during the first year of life.

Three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging systems are replacing direct anthropometry as the preferred method for capturing facial soft-tissues. Aims of this study were: (1) to develop normative average 3D faces of healthy infants aged 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and (2) to describe normative average 3D facial growth data in infants aged 3 to 12 months. Three-dimensional images of 50 healthy children were acquired at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age using the 3dMDcranial system. Four average faces with uniform meshes (3, 6, 9, and 12 months) were developed and registered based on the children's reference frames. Distance maps of growth of the total facial surface and of the nose, upper lip, chin, forehead and cheeks for the intervals 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 months, and 9 to 12 months of age were calculated. Mean growth of the total facial surface was 3.9 mm (standard deviation [SD] 1.2 mm), 3.5 mm (SD 0.9 mm), and 1.6 mm (SD 0.7 mm) at 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 months, and 9 to 12 months, respectively. Regarding the selected regions of the face, the mean growth of the nose and upper lip were the largest (3.7 mm and 3.6 mm, respectively) between 6 and 9 months of age. The mean growth of the forehead, cheeks and chin were the largest (5.4 mm, 3.2, and 4.7 mm, respectively) between 3 and 6 months of age. For all facial regions, growth clearly diminished from 9 to 12 months of age. Normative data on the growth of the full face, nose, upper lip, chin, forehead and cheeks are presented. Such data can be used in future studies to identify the effectiveness of treatment of orofacial deformities such as orofacial clefts during the first year of life.

Sex Determination of Three-Dimensional Skull Based on Improved Backpropagation Neural Network.

Sex determination from skeletons is a significant step in the analysis of forensic anthropology. Previous skeletal sex assessments were analyzed by anthropologists' subjective vision and sexually dimorphic features. In this paper, we proposed an improved backpropagation neural network (BPNN) to determine gender from skull. It adds the momentum term to improve the convergence speed and avoids falling into local minimum. The regularization operator is used to ensure the stability of the algorithm, and the Adaboost integration algorithm is used to improve the generalization ability of the model. 267 skulls were used in the experiment, of which 153 were females and 114 were males. Six characteristics of the skull measured by computer-aided measurement are used as the network inputs. There are two structures of BPNN for experiment, namely, [6; 6; 2] and [6; 12; 2], of which the [6; 12; 2] model has better average accuracy. While η = 0.5 and α = 0.9, the classification accuracy is the best. The accuracy rate of the training stage is 97.232%, and the mean squared error (MSE) is 0.01; the accuracy rate of the testing stage is 96.764%, and the MSE is 1.016. Compared with traditional methods, it has stronger learning ability, faster convergence speed, and higher classification accuracy.

Maxillary protraction to treat pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and maxillary retrusion: a preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Midface retrusion creates a size deficiency problem in the upper airway that has been improved in children using surgical midface advancement and orthopedic protraction of the maxilla. The results of these treatments have been mostly promising at enlarging the pharyngeal airway. Recently introduced bone anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) uses implant inserted devices in the jaws to pull the maxilla forward against a backward pressure to the lower jaw. This is a pilot study that examines the use of BAMP as a strategy to treat maxillary retrusion, malocclusion and children with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: 15 children, ages 9-16 years with maxillary retrusion creating a skeletal malocclusion were treated with bone anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) and the results were compared against an untreated control group. 8 children in the treatment group also had sleep disordered breathing/obstructive sleep apnea. All subjects had lateral cephalograms before and after BAMP therapy. The OSA cohort completed the pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ) and polysomnography prior to and at the end of BAMP. RESULTS: The majority of the OSA children (n = 5) showed improvement in their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and OSA symptoms after BAMP. Preliminary results of BAMP therapy show improvement in respiratory and airway parameters in OSA children with a highly significant change in the forward position of the upper jaw and enlargement in the nasopharyngeal to oropharyngeal junction as compared to an age and sex matched untreated control group. The outcomes were dependent on the age of treatment initiation and patient compliance. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary work suggests that bone anchored maxillary protraction may be considered as an adjunctive treatment option in adolescents for improving midface retrusion and sleep apnea, but further work is needed to explore this therapy.

The Cephalometry of the Yoruba Ethnic Group of Southwestern Nigeria.

Cephalometry of an ethnic population is determined by sex, diet, geographic location and genetics. Quantitative facial morphometry is necessary in today's contemporary society because of the globalization of crime and justice. The objective of this study is to determine Yoruba ethnic population's cephalofacial uniqueness for gender identification. A total of 222 adults (155 females and 67 males) participants from 10 local government areas in 5 states of the South-west Nigeria were randomly selected. Pre-defined set of cephalometric parameters were measured using standard requirement for anthropometry. Statistical analysis was calculated for gender differences using SPSS 20. Overall, gender differences (male vs female) was exhibited in head length, head width, upper facial height, lower facial height and facial width. Sexual differences were also exhibited in head modulus index (41.43±1.72 cm Vs 42.87±2.18 cm) and the index of the size of head (2361.89±444.53 cm3 vs 2147.78±316.13 cm3). Both genders exhibited dolichocephalic/mesocephalic type. Gender identification in this ethnic group may concentrate on five facial morphometry.

Neutral supporting mandibular advancement device with tongue bead for passive myofunctional therapy: a long term follow-up study.

BACKGROUNDS: Myofunctional therapy has been reported to be a valid adjunct treatment to OSA, but compliance was mentioned as an issue. We performed a prospective study on age matched randomized children submitted to myofunctional therapy (MFT) or to a functional device used during sleep (passive MFT). METHODS: 110 children 4 to 16 were recruited for the study, 54 children were in the MFT group [A] while 56 were in the "nocturnal device" group [B]. Clinical evaluation, polysomnography and cephalometric X-Rays were performed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months, with clinical follow-up at 3 months. RESULTS: MFT group show very important absence of compliance, at six months only 23 subjects participated and only 10/23 had been compliant with treatment. None came back for research investigation at 12 months. 48/56 of passive MFT children ended the research protocol at 12 months. Comparison of baseline to 6 and 12 months data showed that all children with passive MFT improved (PSG and cephalometrics) and had nasal breathing during sleep at 1 year, and no negative effect of device were noted. The 10 children compliant with MFT showed clear improvement of sleep related breathing with also changes at cephalometric -X-rays. CONCLUSION: Compliance is a major problem of MFT, and MFT will have to take into consideration the absolute need to have continuous parental involvement in the procedure. Passive MFT gives many more positive results, but potential negative effects of device on other jaw will have to be continuously evaluated.

Radiographic features associated with temporomandibular joint disorders among African, White, Chinese, Hispanic, and Indian racial groups.

CONTEXT: Various radiographic features have been associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs); however, these characteristics have not been compared among different racial groups. AIMS: To radiographically evaluate and compare craniofacial patterns and condylar findings suggestive of TMD among African, White, Chinese, Hispanic, and Indian racial groups. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This multicenter retrospective study used data from three private orthodontic practices and a University Orthodontic Clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs were collected from 250 subjects who were equally divided into five racial groups: Africans, Whites, Chinese, Hispanics, and Indians. All radiographs were initial records from patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were used to evaluate and compare cephalometric characteristics associated with TMD among groups. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed to compare the presence of condylar abnormalities and antegonial notching among groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's test. RESULTS: African and Chinese groups had the smallest mean cranial base measurements, while the Indians had the largest. The mean Y-axis value was significantly larger in the Chinese group compared with the other groups. Increased mandibular plane angles were seen in the Chinese and African patients, compared with subjects from other groups. The mean percentage of condylar anomalies was higher in the Chinese subjects compared with all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese patients presented with more radiographic features suggestive of TMD, whereas the Indians showed the least, compared with subjects from the White, Black, and Hispanic racial groups.