Background: Normal nasolabial anatomy has received little attention in infants younger than 1 year. However, the notion of an ideal lip and nose is critical to reconstruction of this region, especially for cleft lip and nose repair. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively define the normal nasolabial anatomy in a series of infants younger than 1 year.
Methods: A prospective analysis was performed of infants aged 0 to 12 months from 2011 to 2012. Plaster molds of the nasolabial region were produced from each subject. Anthropometric measurements were performed by two independent, blinded reviewers. Results were compiled and compared statistically using the two-tailed t test and analysis of variance with the post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference test. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationship of age and weight to nasolabial measurements.
Results: A total of 34 infants were included (mean age, 8.7 months; girls, n = 11). Ten anthropometric measurements of the nasolabial region were performed. Nasal length in boys was significantly longer than in girls (p < 0.05). With the exception of alar base width (p < 0.001), philtrum column height (p < 0.05), and cutaneous upper lip height (p < 0.01), ethnicity had no effect on nasolabial measurements. Alar thickness and nares circumference correlated positively with age and weight (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The normal nasolabial morphology is anthropometrically described in a population of infants younger than 1 year. Measurements were similar between boys and girls, and alar thickness and nostril circumference correlated with increasing age and weight.