Standards of craniofacial dimension for an African population.

This is a study of 247 children, aged 1-5 years in whom Interpupillary distance (IP) and Cephalic Index have been estimated. A reference curve for UP was determined. The data were compared to those of other populations. It was concluded that the genetic component of the negro hypertelorism manifest with growth and not at birth. Secondly, the Nigerian child appeared to become dolicocephalic at an earlier age of two years than his caucasian counterpart. While the explanation for the relative hypertelorism is obscure, it is suggested that the earlier closure of the anterior fontanelle might be responsible for the early dolicocephalic skull shape.