Measurements of Head Circumference, Intercanthal Distances, Canthal Index and Circumference Interorbital Index of Ikwerre School Children in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining standard values for head circumference, inner canthal distance, outer canthal distance, canthal index and circumference interorbital index of Ikwerre school children between the ages of 3-18 years.

The measurements of head circumference, inner and outer canthal distances, canthal index and circumference interorbital index were obtained from a randomly selected sample size of one thousand, five hundred and twenty-three(1523) children, Seven  hundred and sixty-four males(764) and Seven hundred and fifty-nine females(759).

The mean values for male subjects (10.45±4.61 years) were found to be, 52.42±2.22cm  for head circumference, 3.39±0.30cm  for inner canthal distance, 9.118±0.65cm for outer canthal distance, 37.00±2.48 for canthal index and 6.84±0.47 for circumference interorbital index.

The mean values for female subjects (11.00±4.62years) were found to be51.95±2.18cm for head circumference, 3.38±0.33cm for inner canthal distance,9.31±0.75cm for outer canthal distance, 36.46±3.11cm for canthal index and 6.51±0.54cm for circumference interorbital index.

Statistical analysis using z-test showed that males had significantly higher values than the females in all the parameters measured (p<0.05), except inner canthal distance were there was no significant difference (p>0.05) showing some form sexual dimorphism

The knowledge of these values are important because normal values of  head circumferences, inner and outer canthal distances,canthal index and circumference interorbital index are useful parameters in the evaluation and treatment of congenital or post traumatic deformities of the cephalic and facial regions such as telecanthus, occular hypotailorism and craniosynostosis.

Key Words: Head circumference, inner canthal distance, outer canthal distance, canthal index, circumference interorbital index and Ikwerre