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 compare 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 days) 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 three-dimensional topology of the maxillary crest.Results: The maxillary crest of children with Pierre Robin sequence shows an increased inclination relative to the transverse plane (30 +/- 3.9 degrees) as compared with that of healthy infants (20 +/- 2.9 degrees), The maxillary crest of the patients is shortened in the sagittal direction by comparison with healthy controls.Conclusions: The increased inclination of the maxilla in infants with Pierre Robin sequence may aggravate the retroposition of the mandible and may thus be a pathogenetic factor contributing to the severe respiratory problems.