Developmental changes in craniofacial morphology in subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts.

Abstract

In this Japanese population, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was associated with developmental variations which might be linked to muscle weakness.

Main

Matsuyuki T, Kitahara T et al. Eur J Orthod 2006; 28: 42–50

DMD is an X-linked recessive condition in which muscles progressively weaken, and this may play a part in altering craniofacial development. In a Japanese hospital, 35 male subjects had lateral cephalograms taken longitudinally from 10 to 20 yrs of age. No subjects had drugs which could interfere with development. Japanese standards for male development at age 13 and 20 yrs were used as controls.

In young DMD patients, the mean gonial angle was greater, the sagittal length of the cranial base was shorter, and the upper incisors protruded. In adult patients, maxillary alveolus and upper incisors were protruded. Overbite tended to decrease. As a result of changing growth patterns, an initial tendency for clockwise rotation of the mandible was reversed after 16 yrs of age. The authors comment that muscular factors may greatly influence growth and development of the jaws and face.