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Concurrent growth of the skull and aerodigestive tract of human infants: setting a protocol for study (918.25)
Author(s) -
Curcio Daniella,
Micham Brittni,
Reidenberg Joy,
Laitman Jeffrey
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.918.25
Subject(s) - medicine , sagittal plane , population , orthodontics , pediatrics , anatomy , environmental health
Vital changes in form and function occur globally in the head and, particularly, in the aerodigestive tract (ADT) in the first months of human postnatal life. This study aims to determine reproducible and readily ascertainable measures that track developmental skull/ADT proportions so as to facilitate better clinical care (eg, endotracheal tube size/placement) and increase recognition of underlying conditions (eg, obstructive sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome). We focus here on determining the protocol’s design, prioritizing functional relevance, precision of reading, and ease in assessment. Our hypothesis is that there are correlations between skull and ADT that develop with regularity and, thus, predictability. Our target population will be infants 0‐4 months accessed via MRI and measurements will include those in mid‐sagittal (MS) and axial planes (AP). In the MS plane we will access length and height parameters (eg. ADT length) and determine the level of structures’ position in the neck in relation to the hard palate plane (eg. thyroid level). In AP we will access width and depth measurements (eg. maxillary arch width and depth). It is anticipated that resultant normograms may contribute to the understanding of possible causation between development and growth of head and neck structures. Grant Funding Source : Supported by American Association of Anatomists, grant: AAA Short Term Visiting Scholarship