Normative data for interorbital distance in a paediatric Caucasian population

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial development
• Pediatric radiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Orbital growth is vital in craniofacial development, with abnormalities often impacting this process.
• Establishing normative orbital growth data is essential for differentiating normal from pathological development.
• Limited normative data exists for Caucasian pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the interorbital distance in a healthy Caucasian pediatric population.
• To provide normative data for orbital measurements in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 466 craniofacial CT scans from Caucasian children aged 3 months to 10 years.
• Measurements included bony inner interorbital distance (IOD) and bony lateral orbital distance (LOD) at the neuro-ocular plane.
• Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test to compare age and sex groups.

Main Results:

• Mean IOD increased from 18.76 mm at 3 months to 22.79 mm at 10 years.
• Significant increases in IOD and LOD occurred during the first two years and between ages 7-8.
• The IOD/LOD ratio remained constant, indicating isometric orbital growth.

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential normative orbital measurement data for Caucasian children.
• Two critical periods of accelerated orbital growth were identified.
• This data aids in the clinical assessment of craniofacial development and potential abnormalities.