title: The influence of asthma on face shape: a three-dimensional study.
abstract: Respiratory activity may have an influence on craniofacial development and interact with genetic and environmental factors. It has been suggested that certain medical conditions such as asthma have an influence on face shape. The aim of the study is to investigate whether facial shape is different in individuals diagnosed as having asthma compared with controls. Study design included observational longitudinal cohort study. Asthma was defined as reported wheezing diagnosed at age 7 years and 6 months. The cohort was followed to 15 years of age as part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. A total of 418 asthmatics and 3010 controls were identified. Three-dimensional laser surface facial scans were obtained. Twenty-one reproducible facial landmarks (x, y, z co-ordinates) were identified. Average facial shells were created for asthmatic and non-asthmatic males and females to explore surface differences. The inter-ala distance was 0.4mm wider (95% CI) and mid-face height was 0.4mm (95% CI) shorter in asthmatic females when compared with non-asthmatic females. No facial differences were detected in male subjects. Small but statistically significant differences were detected in mid-face height and inter-ala width between asthmatic and non-asthmatic females. No differences were detected in males. The lack of detection of any facial differences in males may be explained by significant facial variation as a result of achieving different stages of facial growth due to pubertal changes, which may mask any underlying condition effect.
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School, AlAliAM@cardiff.ac dr.alaa97@hotmail.com.
authors: Ala
authors: A
authors: Al Ali
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Richmond
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School.
authors: Hashmat
authors: H
authors: Popat
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School.
authors: Arshed M
authors: AM
authors: Toma
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Playle
authors: Applied Clinical Research & Public Health, Dental School.
authors: Alexei I
authors: AI
authors: Zhurov
authors: **School of Computer Science & Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff and.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Marshall
authors: **School of Computer Science & Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff and.
authors: Paul L
authors: PL
authors: Rosin
authors: ***Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Henderson
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000473:pathology; D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000473:pathology; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D014716:Vertical Dimension