A longitudinal study of facial asymmetry in a normal birth cohort up to 6 years of age and the predisposing factors.

Objectives: This prospective, population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the development of facial asymmetry up to 6 years of age using a three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue imaging method in a normal population. In addition, the study sought to identify potential predisposing factors to facial asymmetry.

Methods: A total of 102 newborns were enrolled in the study at birth.

Craniofacial Asymmetry from One to Three Years of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study with 3D Imaging.

Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is considered a risk factor for facial asymmetry. This cohort-based, prospective, follow-up study used three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry to assess the development of facial asymmetry in a normal birth cohort and to investigate the impact of DP on facial asymmetry for the age range of one to three years. The study sample consisted of 75 children: 35 girls (47%) and 40 (53%) boys recruited from Oulu University Hospital.

A 3D Follow-Up Study of Cranial Asymmetry from Early Infancy to Toddler Age after Preterm versus Term Birth.

Preterm infants are at higher risk for both symmetrical and asymmetrical head molding. This study involved 3D stereophotogrammetry to assess the cranial growth, molding, and incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) in preterm children compared to term born children. Thirty-four preterm infants and 34 term born controls were enrolled in this study from Oulu University Hospital, Finland.