The goniomaxillar length/goniomandibular length ratio in normal newborn infants: A clinical tool for defining chin position abnormalities

Abstract

Retrognathia (recessed chin) and prognathism (prominent chin) often present as signs of an underlying condition. Accurate clinical definitions are important. Yet their definitions were according to “clinical impression”, or to seldom used X‐ray criteria. We propose a statistical and anthropometric definition of retrognathia and prognathism based upon the ratio between the goniomaxillar length (distance between the gonion at the mandible angle and the subnasale and the goniomandibular length (distance between the mandible angle and the most anterior point of the bony chin). We assumed that an increase in the ratio indicates retrognathia and a decrease reflects prognathism. We conducted a prospective, observational, anthropometric study in 204 consecutive healthy term infants. Measurements took place on the second day of life, using sliding calipers. Mean ± SD of goniomandibular length (5.1 ± 0.3 cm), goniomaxillar length (5.4 ± 0.3 cm), were calculated. All measurements correlated significantly with gestational age, and with infant birthweight. The mean ± SD goniomaxillar length/goniomandibular length ratio was 1.06 ± 0.05. We defined a normal ratio as being within 2 SD of the mean, that is, between 0.96 and and 1.16. This ratio correlated with neither gestational age nor with birthweight. We conclude that the goniomaxillar length/goniomandibular length ratio can be calculated whenever retro ‐ or prognathism is suspected. A ratio outside of the 95% confidence interval should help in making this diagnosis. An increase in this ratio beyond 2 SD above the mean (1.16) could be interpreted as retrognathia and a decrease beyond 2 SD below the mean (0.96) as prognathism.