The Sudanese female face: Normative craniofacial measurements and comparison with African–American and North American White females

BackgroundEthnic differences in craniofacial dimensions and proportional relationships means that ethnicity-specific data is required for both diagnosis and treatment planning. This investigation establishes normative craniofacial anthropometric values for the Sudanese female (SF) population, compares with North American White (NAW) and African–American females (AA), and analyses the occurrence of neoclassical norms within the study sample.MethodsStandardized frontal and profile facial photographs were taken of 100 female participants. Five vertical and five horizontal anthropometric measurements were determined.ResultsSignificant differences were found between the 3 populations. The sample showed very poor compliance with the neoclassical norms. The upper face height of the SF was ∼20-mm taller than the AA faces (p < 0.001). Midface, nasal and lower face heights were also significantly taller, by 15-mm, 10-mm and 10-mm respectively (p < 0.001). SF showed significant reduction in bizygomatic width (∼30-mm), compared to NAW and AA (p < 0.001). Eye width was ∼5-mm less than the AA sample and 3-mm less than the NAW sample (p < 0.001). Mouth width was ∼5-mm less in SF than the other two groups (p < 0.001). The SF exhibited a reduced interalar width compared with AA (p < 0.001), but wider than the NAW (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe average SF face is significantly taller and narrower than the AA or NAW female face. The neoclassical proportional norms appear to be unreliable guides in relation to the SF face, and should not be used in comparative diagnosis and treatment planning. Use of the normative anthropometric data presented in this article, both linear and proportional values, should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment planning of young adult female patients of Sudanese descent.