Shape of the craniofacial complex in 45,X females: cephalometric study.

The shape of the craniofacial complex was analysed cephalometrically in sixty-four adult 45,X females (Turner syndrome) using lateral skull radiographs, and the subjects were compared with first-degree female relatives and control females. The results showed that 45,X females have marked changes in relatively few craniofacial areas compared to the controls. Most of the changes are located in the cranial base, so that the face is retrognathic. The mandible is short, whereas the maxilla is of normal length. The results support the view that the morphology of the cranial base is markedly affected in 45,X females, whereas most other craniofacial changes could be considered secondary to the cranial base abnormality. It is suggested that retarded cartilage growth may be a factor leading to the present findings.