title: Craniofacial anthropometric analysis in Down syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine, in a representative sample of young patients with Down syndrome, the specificity of craniofacial anthropometric profile for the syndrome, which can be used in the diagnosis, monitoring of growth and eventual plastic surgical procedures in the cranio-facial region and to identify anthropometric variables which best discriminate group of patients with Down syndrome from healthy persons. Limited Asian reports are available, and may not be able to be extrapolated for use in our local population, due to a differing mix of ethnicities. Hence, the present study was conducted to analyze the craniofacial anthropometric characteristics of Down syndrome in South Indian patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted on 100 subjects of South Indian origin. Using non-invasive method of craniofacial anthropometry, six craniofacial anthropometric measurements were performed and four indices were calculated in 50 Down syndrome patients and 50 age and sex matched controls, aged 1-18 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stepwise forward discriminant function analysis identified a subset of three variables, namely cephalic index, index of size of head and morphological upper facial index which could accurately classify subjects with Down syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate the usefulness of anthropometric craniofacial pattern profiles in defining abnormal craniofacial dimensions in Down syndrome patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India. ashakeshavraj@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Asha
authors.forename: Subhash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lakshmiprabha
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nanjaiah
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Prashanth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male