title: Skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue cephalometric measurements of Malay transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients.
abstract: Thalassaemia is a public health problem in Malaysia. It is known to cause skeletal deformity. The purpose of this study was to compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue features of Malay transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) patients with a Malay control group. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 30 Malay (14 males and 16 females aged 6.4-21.8 years) TDT patients and 60 normal Malays matched for chronological age and gender were analysed and compared using an independent t-test. The TDT group showed a similar sagittal relationship to the control group but with a significantly increased (P < 0.01) mandibular plane inclination. They also showed a significantly shorter (P ≤ 0.001) mandibular body, ramus length, and posterior face height and consequently a smaller ratio of posterior to anterior face height (P < 0.01). The upper and lower lips were significantly procumbent (P < 0.001) in the TDT group together with a significantly smaller nasolabial angle (P < 0.05). Dentoalveolar measurements showed less proclined maxillary teeth in the TDT group compared with the controls (P < 0.05). The cephalometric features of Malay TDT patients were characterized by a mild Class II skeletal pattern, prominent vertical growth direction of the mandible, and protruded upper and lower lips.
authors.affiliation: Orthodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Heba Ahmed
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Toman
authors.forename: Ariffin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Rosline
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Rozita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005145:Face; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy*; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology*; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult