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Craniofacial and Velopharyngeal Dimensions in Infants 0-12 Months: Between- and Within-Group Differences Based on Age
Samantha J Power1, Annalisa V Piccorelli2, David L Jones1
1University of Wyoming, Laramie.
Insights
This study quantifies craniofacial and velopharyngeal growth in infants under 12 months, revealing significant age-related changes and sex-based differences in levator veli palatini (LVP) and velopharyngeal (VP) dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric imaging and craniofacial development.
- Anatomy and growth of the velopharyngeal complex.
Background:
- Understanding early craniofacial and velopharyngeal development is crucial for diagnosing and managing speech and swallowing disorders.
- Growth patterns in infants under 12 months are complex and influenced by multiple factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide quantitative data on the growth of the levator veli palatini (LVP), velopharyngeal (VP), and craniofacial dimensions in children under 12 months.
- To control for corrected age and sex in analyzing these growth parameters.
- To compare variability within age and sex groups for these anatomical structures.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 75 infants aged 0-12 months were analyzed.
- Infants were divided into four age groups, and data were controlled for corrected age and sex.
- Measurements of LVP muscle, VP dimensions, and craniofacial variables were obtained.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant growth effects were observed for LVP length, extravelar length, intravelar length, midline thickness, origin-origin distance, velar length, velar thickness, nasion-sella turcica distance, sella turcica-basion distance, and hard palate length.
- Significant sex effects were noted for pharyngeal depth and effective VP ratio, with males showing greater variability.
- Most variability in LVP and craniofacial dimensions occurred between 3-5.99 months, while VP dimensions showed most variability between 9-11.99 months.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in LVP, VP, and craniofacial variables were observed in infants under 12 months, even when controlling for sex.
- Male participants generally exhibited larger values and greater variability across most measured dimensions.
- These findings highlight distinct growth trajectories and sex-based dimorphism in early craniofacial and velopharyngeal development.
Purpose:
The purpose of the present study is to (a) provide quantitative data on the growth of levator veli palatini (LVP), velopharyngeal (VP), and craniofacial dimensions in children under 12 months while controlling for corrected age and sex and (b) compare variability within age and sex groups.
Method:
Magnetic resonance imaging scans of 75 infants between 0 and 12 months were measured and divided into four age groups. These data were obtained as part of a larger retrospective study. Following exclusion criteria, scans were analyzed, and dependent variables were obtained.
Results:
There was a statistically significant (p < .0001) difference between corrected age groups on LVP muscle, VP, and craniofacial variables while controlling for sex. Significant growth effects were observed for LVP length (p < .0001), extravelar length (p < .0001), intravelar length (p = .048), midline thickness (p = .0001), origin-origin distance (p < .0001), velar length (p < .0001), velar thickness (p = .003), nasion-sella turcica distance (p < .0001), sella turcica-basion distance (p < .0001), and hard palate length (p < .0001). Significant sex effects were observed for pharyngeal depth (p = .026) and effective VP ratio (p = .014). When age was treated as a continuous variable, similar results were observed for all variables except pharyngeal depth. Within-group comparisons revealed the most variability occurs between 3 and 5.99 months for LVP and craniofacial variables and between 9 and 11.99 months of age for VP variables. Male participants demonstrated greater variability than female participants.
Conclusions:
Differences were observed in LVP, VP, and craniofacial variables in children under 12 months while controlling for sex. Males demonstrated larger values and greater variability for most variables.
