Three-dimensional computer morphometry of the maxilla and face in infants with Pierre Robin sequence - A comparative study

Objective: To analyze the morphology of the maxillary crest in infants with Pierre Robin sequence using an anthropometric coordinate system and to com pare the data with those of healthy infants. Setting: The study was performed at a craniofacial center servicing a large geographic area. Participants: The study involved eight infants aged 1-28 days (average, 7 d ays) with an established diagnosis of Pierre Robin sequence and six healthy infants aged 1-43 days (average, 22 days). Main Outcome Measures: Physical models of the maxilla and face obtained by alginate replication were analyzed by computer morphometry yielding the thr ee-dimensional topology of the maxillary crest. Results: The maxillary crest of children with Pierre Robin sequence shows a n increased inclination relative to the transverse plane (30 +/- 3.9 degree s) as compared with that of healthy infants (20 +/- 2.9 degrees), The maxil lary crest of the patients is shortened in the sagittal direction by compar ison with healthy controls. Conclusions: The increased inclination of the maxilla in infants with Pierr e Robin sequence may aggravate the retroposition of the mandible and may th us be a pathogenetic factor contributing to the severe respiratory problems .