Eur J Anat, 9 (2): 95-98 (2005)

The variation of head and face shapes in female newborns in the South-East of the Caspian sea (Iran-Gorgan)

Golalipour M.J., Jahanshahi M., Haidari K.

Department of Anatomy, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Department of Anatomy, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, PO. Box: 49175-553, Gorgan, Iran

ABSTRACT Anthropometric dimensions are the basis for the evaluation of the health of newborns. This research was conducted in view of the importance of anthropometric indices of the head and face in forensic medicine, surgery, pediatrics and medical imaging. The study was undertaken on 423 normal one - day old female newborns of the Pars and Turkman race (Turkman group: No=211, Pars group No=212). Means and SD of cephalic and prosopic indices in the native Pars group were 78.63±4.7, 74.3±11.5 and in the Turkman group they were 77.85±8.7, 81.6±9.8 respectively. The dominant and rare types of head shape in the native Pars group were mesocephalic (44.98%) and hyper-brachycephalic (8.96%) respectively, while in the Turkman group they were mesocephalic (38.86%) and hyperbrachycephalic (8.05%). The dominant type of face shape in the native Fars group was hypereuriprosopic (71%) and in the Turkman group it was mesoprosopic (39%). This research determines the possible effects of racial factor on the diversity of head and face shapes in normal female newborns in this region.

Keywords: anatomical variation, anthropometry, article, body build, brachycephaly, cephalometry, face, female, head, human, Iran, major clinical study, measurement, newborn, physical anthropology, race difference, research