Craniofacial Dimensions in the African Neonate.

Authors

  • Ogunye O
  • Ikeji MO
  •  Adeodu O.  

Abstract

Summary: Craniofacial mcasurements including head circumference (HC), anterior fontanelle (AF), posterior fonta nelle (PF), inner canthal distance (IC) and outer orbital distance (00) have been determined in 1,137 African nconates. The mean value of the head circumference was 34-2+3.5cm (2SD), the inner canthal distance was 1.9+0.7cm (2SD) while that of the outer orbital distance was 7-5+1.6cm (2SD). The average anterior sontanelle was 3-3+2.ocm (2SD). Posterior fontanelle was palpable in 45.4% of the newborns and measured 1.5-0.8cm (2SD). While the mean values for HC,00, and IC were about the same for those obtained in American caucasian population, both the AF and PF were significantly larger and the PF morc frequently palpable than in the American group. We conclude from these studies that the multifactorial determinants of fontanelle size in the African may include a "Negroid gene pool" and environmental influences. The apparent adult negroid hypertelorism is probably mostly develop mental with little or no genetic influence. 

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Published

2024-05-30

How to Cite

Craniofacial Dimensions in the African Neonate. (2024). NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS, 9(1), 21-25. https://www.njpaediatrics.com/index.php/njp/article/view/966