3D-Analysis of Mouth, Nose and Eye Parameters in Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Moritz Blanck-Lubarsch, Dieter Dirksen, Reinhold Feldmann, Cristina Sauerland and Ariane Hohoff
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Moritz Blanck-Lubarsch: Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
Dieter Dirksen: Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
Reinhold Feldmann: Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
Cristina Sauerland: Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Schmeddingstraße 56, 48149 Münster, Germany
Ariane Hohoff: Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Background : Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a developmental disorder with severe negative lifetime consequences for the affected person. Numerous diagnostic methods for facial assessment in FAS exist, but most of them are based on subjective evaluations. Our aim was therefore to find objective methods for the verification of FAS(D). Methods : 58 children (28 FAS; 30 controls) were examined prospectively. 3D facial scans were performed for each child and facial parameters at the mouth, nose and eye regions were measured and compared between the groups. Results : Significant differences could be found for the distance between right and left sulcus nasi at the transition point to the philtrum ( p < 0.001), for the inner canthal distance ( p = 0.001) as well as for the right and left palpebral fissure length ( p < 0.001). No significant difference between the FAS and control children could be found for the measurements of mouth breadth ( p = 0.267) and breadth between the left and right alares nasi ( p = 0.260). Conclusions : Measurements of mouth breadth and nose breadth for the alares nasi are not suitable for FAS diagnosis. In contrast, digital contactless measurements of the distance between the right and left sulcus nasi at the transition point to the philtrum, as well as the inner canthal distance and palpebral fissure length of the left and right eyes, showed significant differences when comparing children with FAS to healthy controls. These measurements could thus be additional objective means for the verification of FAS.

Keywords: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS); fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD); 3D facial scan; palpebral fissure length; nasal breadth; inner canthal distance; mouth breadth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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