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Craniofacial Growth and Asymmetry in Newborns: A Longitudinal 3D Assessment
Ai-Lun Lo1,2, Rami R Hallac3, Shih-Heng Chen1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
Insights
This study tracked infant craniofacial development, finding growth rates peak early and asymmetry decreases over the first year. Male infants generally exhibit larger head measurements than females.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Craniofacial development
- Infant growth studies
Background:
- Understanding typical craniofacial development in infants is crucial for identifying potential growth abnormalities.
- Assessing craniofacial asymmetry patterns provides insights into normal growth trajectories and potential developmental variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally evaluate the craniofacial region development in healthy infants during their first year of life.
- To analyze the patterns of craniofacial asymmetry in infants from 1 to 12 months of age.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic craniofacial photographs were captured from 66 healthy infants across six age groups (1-12 months).
- Craniofacial meshes were generated to measure anthropometric indices, head volume, and head circumference.
- Craniofacial asymmetry scores and color-maps were calculated to quantify asymmetry patterns.
Main Results:
- Infant growth rates for anthropometric indices were highest between 1-2 months and lowest between 9-12 months.
- Male infants demonstrated significantly higher anthropometric indices, head volume, and head circumference compared to female infants.
- Craniofacial asymmetry scores showed a descending trend throughout the first year, with specific regional changes noted in temporal-parietal-occipital and frontal-temporal areas.
Conclusions:
- The study presents a longitudinal evaluation of craniofacial growth and asymmetry in healthy infants.
- Craniofacial asymmetry generally decreases over the first year of life, with sex-based differences observed in overall size.
Objective:
To evaluate the development of the craniofacial region in healthy infants and analyze the asymmetry pattern in the first year of life.
Methods:
The participants were grouped by sex and age (1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months) to receive three-dimensional (3D) photographs. Stereoscopic craniofacial photos were captured and transformed into a series of craniofacial meshes in each group. The growth patterns of the anthropometric indices and the degree of craniofacial asymmetry were measured, and average craniofacial meshes and color-asymmetry maps with craniofacial asymmetry scores were calculated.
Results:
A total of 373 photographs from 66 infants were obtained. In both genders, the highest and lowest growth rates for all anthropometric indices were noted between 1 and 2 months and between 9 and 12 months, respectively. Overall, male infants had higher anthropometric indices, head volume, and head circumference than female infants. The craniofacial asymmetry score was presented with a descending pattern from 1 to 12 months of age in both sex groups. Both sex groups showed decreased left-sided laterality in the temporal-parietal-occipital region between 1 and 4 months of age and increased right frontal-temporal prominence between 6 and 12 months of age.
Conclusions:
A longitudinal evaluation of the craniofacial growth of healthy infants during their first year of life was presented.
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