Craniofacial Morphology in Iranian Children with Short Stature

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the craniofacial skeletal characteristic of Iranian short stature patients Methods: 50 patients (25boys with mean age of 11.8 y/o and 25 girls with mean age of 11.4 y/o)with their height below 3rd percentile curve based on NCHS,as target group,and 425 patients with normal height and class I malocclusion (ANB=2-4 degrees, crowding less than 5 mm, overjet and overbite within normal range and wit's=0±1mm)as control group,were selected. After getting informed consent lateral cephalometry radiographs in Natural Head Position were taken. on each radiograph 19 points were selected to provide 14 angular,4 linear and 1 ratio.All points and measurements were reevaluated by 2 examiners. The short stature measurements were compared to control group and statistical analysis using 2sample t-test was performed. Result: short stature patients based on SNA, SNB, ANB and Facial angles, had more retruded mandibular position(p<0.05).the short sature patients had more vertical growth pattern according to jarabak index, sum of bjork, y-axis and basal angle (p≤.001) and also shorter anterior and posterior cranial base(p≤.001). Conclusion: short stature patients suffer more from skeletal discrepancies. Early diagnosis and their possible underlying systemic disease can help them reach to normal skeletal balance .