Photoanthropometric analysis of individuals with the fragile X syndrome.

A photoanthropometric method, which enables an objective description of facial structures, was used to examine 31 boys with the fragile X or Martin-Bell syndrome below the age of 12 years. The age range was 1.5 to 12 years with an average age of 6.5 years. Facial parameters were measured from strict frontal and profile photographs of fra(X) syndrome boys and compared with other facial measurements from the same face (e.g. mouth width vs. bizygomatic diameter). We studied 18 photoanthropometric facial parameters following the protocol established by Stengel-Rutkowski et al [1984]. Fourteen indices were calculated and compared with photoanthropometric index standards for age, established from normal children between 0 and 12 years [Stengel-Rutkowski et al, 1984]. Two of the fourteen craniofacial indices, broad palpebral fissures and decreased inner canthal distance, were significantly abnormal.