CRANIOFACIAL MEASUREMENTS OF NIGERIAN IKWERRE CHILDREN

The measurements of head circumference were obtained from a randomly collected sample size of 1600 (800 males and 800 females).Measurement was carried out usings standard methods. Craniofacial dimensions of the males were significantly higher than those of the females in all the facial parameters. It was observed that the head circumference is the most reliable criteria for differentiating normal from idiopathic benign macrocephaly and microcephaly since there was no significant difference in other craniofacial parameters. This study has shown that the Ikwerres are a distinct population with a characteristic craniofacial configuration different from other Nigerian ethnic groups and other populations of the world previously studied. As in most other populations, craniofacial parameters are also sexually dimorphic among the Ikwerres.This study provides some guidance in clinical determination of ocular syndromes and in early treatment of congenital and posttraumatic facial deformities. In addition to this, these data should be of relevant importance in national physical anthropometry and forensic investigations.