Craniofacial features of patients with sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait

• Published in: The Angle orthodontist Vol. 84; no. 5; pp. 825 - 829
• Main Authors: Pithon, Matheus Melo, Palmeira, Láiza Michele Vieira, Barbosa, Ana Angélica Leal, Pereira, Rafael, de Andrade, Ana Carolina Dias Viana, Coqueiro, Raildo da Silva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Edward H Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc 01-09-2014
• Subjects: Anemia, Sickle Cell - diagnostic imaging; Cephalometry - methods; Cross-Sectional Studies; Facial Bones - diagnostic imaging; Female; Forehead - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Incisor - diagnostic imaging; Lip - diagnostic imaging; Male; Malocclusion, Angle Class II - diagnostic imaging; Mandible - diagnostic imaging; Maxilla - diagnostic imaging; Molar - diagnostic imaging; Nasal Bone - diagnostic imaging; Orbit - diagnostic imaging; Original; Pterygopalatine Fossa - diagnostic imaging; Radiography, Dental, Digital - methods; Sella Turcica - diagnostic imaging; Sex Factors; Sickle Cell Trait - diagnostic imaging; Skull - diagnostic imaging; Skull Base - diagnostic imaging; Young Adult; Sickle cell trait; Cephalometry; Sickle cell anemia
• ISSN: 0003-3219; 1945-7103
• DOI: 10.2319/101513-764.1

To identify the craniofacial characteristics of patients with sickle cell trait (SCT) and sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to compare these measurements with those of nonaffected subjects.
Clinically normal patients and those with SCT and SCA were evaluated in this study. The patients were divided into three groups: normal (control), SCA, and SCT (n  =  with 15 in each group). Inclusion criteria were SCA or SCT verified by laboratory methods and no treatment with fixed orthodontics or facial orthopedics. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were carried out and were used to obtain angular and linear measurements of anatomic structures displayed. All markings and measurements were performed by a single examiner.
The average ANB was increased in groups with SCA (5.47 ± 2.0°) and SCT (3.80 ± 1.4°), indicating a tendency to Class II. The mean SNA angle was 83.0 ± 3.8° and 82.1±3.5° for SCA and SCT, indicating a proper positioning of the jaw from the skull base. There was an interaction between the group and sex factors for the variable SN-GoGn; measures were higher for men in the SCA group.
Patients with SCA and SCT exhibited characteristics of Class II skeletal pattern because of mandibular retrusion. Most patients showed no compensatory maxillary expansion, which was determined by the normal jaw length and absence of maxillary protrusion.