Effects of thalassaemia major on components of the craniofacial complex.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the craniofacial effects of thalassaemia major and involved a cephalometric analysis of two samples, consisting of 30 thalassaemic patients and 30 control cases. Differences between the groups were tested by Variance analysis (two factors completely randomized design). It was found that thalassaemia major had significant effects on components of the craniofacial complex: The typical thalassaemic patient had a moderate Class 2 skeletal discrepancy with pronounced vertical mandibular growth direction, prominent mandibular incisors, everted lips, and a narrowed nasal cavity.