CRANIOFACIAL DEVELOPMENT IN PATIENTS WITH DOWNS-SYNDROME FROM BIRTH TO 14 YEARS OF AGE

The development of the skull base and the midface in 970 patients with Down''s syndrome (age 0-14 years) is analyzed cephalometrically and compared to the results in literature. Both structures already exhibit a hypoplasia at birth. Although the growth pattern is in part comparable to that of healthy individuals, overall it is reduced. The sagittal growth of the anterior skull base and the maxilla are more or less retarded but congruent, resulting in a nearly constant SNA-angle. The inclination of the maxilla in comparison to the anterior skull base is normal and does not change during the period investigated. The upper incisors show an increasing protrusion. The NSBa-angle in Down''s syndrome is more obtuse than in normal persons indicating a flat cranial base.