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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Anthropometric and Physiologic Parameters in Cleft Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
Swati Verma1, Falguni Mehta2, SukhDev Mishra3
1Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Deformities, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
Insights
Neonates with cleft lip and palate show significant differences in body weight, head measurements, and maxillary arch dimensions compared to non-cleft infants. Early evaluation is crucial for treatment planning in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial development
- Neonatal anthropometry
- Cleft lip and palate research
Background:
- Oro-facial morphology is significantly impacted in neonates with cleft lip and palate.
- Initial evaluation of neonate body and maxillary arch dimensions is vital for treatment planning and growth prediction in cleft patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively evaluate anthropometric and physiologic parameters of cleft and non-cleft neonates.
- To establish baseline data for cleft neonate management and growth prediction.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 88 neonates (44 cleft, 44 non-cleft) aged 0-30 days.
- Measurement of body weight, length, head length, head circumference, and maxillary arch dimensions.
- Digital sliding calipers used for maxillary arch measurements; statistical analysis via independent t-test and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences observed in birth weight (p < 0.0001), head length (p < 0.01), head circumference (p < 0.007), and maxillary arch dimensions (p < 0.0001) between cleft and non-cleft neonates.
- Cleft neonates exhibited distinct anthropometric and physiologic variations compared to their non-cleft counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Cleft neonates present significant anthropometric and physiologic variations from non-cleft neonates.
- These findings underscore the importance of early and comprehensive assessment for effective management of cleft lip and palate cases.
Abstract:
The oro-facial morphology is greatly affected in neonates with a cleft lip and palate. The initial evaluation of neonate's body and maxillary arch dimensions is important for treatment planning and predicting growth in cleft patients. The objective of this study was comparative evaluation of the anthropometric and physiologic parameters of cleft and non-cleft neonates in a hospital-based set up. This cross sectional study was conducted on 88 cleft and non-cleft neonates (n = 44 in each group) aged between 0 and 30 days after obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee and positive written informed consent from their parents. Neonates' body weight, body length, head length, head circumference, and maxillary arch dimensions were measured. Maxillary arch dimensions were measured on dental casts with digital sliding calipers. Statistical analyses performed using the independent t-test and one-way ANOVA analysis were followed by Bonferroni correction for post-hoc comparison. The results showed statistically significant differences in birth weight (p < 0.0001), head length (p < 0.01), head circumference (p < 0.007), and maxillary arch dimensions (p < 0.0001) between cleft and non-cleft neonates. These findings suggest that cleft neonates had significant anthropometric and physiologic variations than non-cleft neonates.
