Aim: This was to compare craniofacial and body growth during prepubertal period using direct medical anthropometry for body and craniofacial measurements.
Methods: The sample consisted of 100 patients (48 males, 52 females), aged between 7 and 12 years. Thirty craniofacial and body measurements of height, width, length and circumference were made on each subject.
Statistical analysis: Comparisons were made of averages, percentages and standard deviations, for three growth patterns during prepubertal period: cranial, facial and body growth pattern. Linear correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to evaluate the intensity of the interdependence between variables, using BMDP Dynamic software.
Results: Skull and face measurements increased less than body dimensions, but those for the face increased more than for skull, which was valid both for males and females. Differences between males and females were determined for standing height, mandibular height (T-Go) and lower facial height (Sto-Gn).
Conclusions: No body parameter was found to be a good indicator of craniofacial growth during this period. The jaw was found to be the facial area that showed the higher development.