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The jaw index: new guide defining micrognathia in newborns
I van der Haven1, J W Mulder, K G van der Wal
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Objective:
Newborns with glossoptosis due to micrognathia can suffer from life-threatening respiratory distress and severe feeding difficulties. These characteristic features are found in newborns with Pierre Robin sequence. In the relevant literature, no concensus concerning diagnosis for these children can be found. A guide defining micrognathia can be helpful in the diagnosis of glossoptosis and possible airway obstruction.
Method:
The jaw index is obtained in newborns by measuring three facial dimensions. In a series of 100 healthy neonates the standard measures were defined.
Results:
The average jaw index in children with Pierre Robin sequence differs significantly from the reference group and was found to be over 3.6 times the normal value.
Conclusions:
Micrognathia can be defined with the jaw index.