Facial analysis in Down's Syndrome patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the facial features of patients with Down syndrome, such as projection of the nose, projection and length of upper and lower lips, projection of soft pogonion and to compare them with the standardized analysis by Ayala and Gutierrez1. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 patients with Down's Syndrome, between 8 and 13 years-old of both genders. The analysis was performed by one orthodontist, using lateral cephalograms and photography in natural head position. For statistical analysis, the mean values of linear measurements within a range of 95% were used. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) showed a nasal projection of 10.1 mm (2.4), the upper and lower lip in front of the vertical reference line, subnasal and soft pogonion with a retrusion of 4.95 mm (4.6). The length of the upper lip showed a value of 20.2 mm (2.4) and the length of the lower lip of 42.5 mm (2.9). CONCLUSION: The facial analysis of patients with Down's Syndrome, compared with Ayala and Gutierrez1, showed smaller nasal projection, greater projection of the upper and lower lip, but lengths, and retrusion of the soft pogonion, similar to those of normal individuals