A study on the normal values of inner canthal, outer canthal, interpupillary distance and head circumference of 3-21 years ijaws

Abstract

This research on the normal values of inner intercanthal, outer intercanthal, head circumference and interpupillary distance was carried out on 3-21 years old Ijaws. A total number of one thousand subjects comprising five hundred males (500) and five hundred females (500) were randomly selected from Baptist Nursery and primary schools in Biogbolo, Bayelsa state College of Arts and Science Secondary School Agudama Yenagoa, University of Port Harcourt, St Peter’s area and Biogbolo town in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Measurements were carried out using a vernier caliper, non stretchable plastic ruler and tape respectively. Results showed that the overall mean for inner intercanthal distance, outer intercanthal distance, head circumference, near and far interpupillary distances were 28.30±4.16mm, 92.49±6.30mm, 54.46±2.19cm, 57.64±4.49mm and 60.47±4.48mm for males while for the females, the values were 28.15±2.75mm, 91.96±5.81mm, 54.27±2.00cm, 56.86±4.92mm and 59.77±4.95mm respectively. The values obtained for males in the near and far interpupillary distance were significantly (p<0.001) higher than that gotten for females. This study is of relevance in clinical practice and forensic investigations.