Facial measurements in the newborn (towards syndrome delineation)

Inner and outer canthal distances, palpebral fissure length, occipitofrontal circumference, and canthal index values were determined and compared between 252 white newborns in Cardiff and 256 black newborns in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study showed that the white and black newborns had the same inner canthal distance while the outer canthal distance and palpebral fissure length were significantly smaller in the white newborns than in their black counterparts. A simple instrument was also constructed and advocated for use. It is concluded that for facial measurements local values should be used in the evaluation of dysmorphic states.