PURPOSES: to characterize the facial anthropometry patterns in asthmatic children; to identify the presence of facial asymmetry and to relate the prevalence of masticatory side with the presence of facial asymmetry in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. METHODS: 60 children aged 6 to 10 years were evaluated. Thirty among them had a diagnosis of moderate or severe asthma and 30 children with no symptoms were the control group based on hospital's records. Facial anthropometric and chewing evaluations were carried through in these children. RESULTS: for facial anthropometric measurements in asthmatic and non-asthmatics children there were no significant differences between the groups but the finding of facial asymmetry was observed in both groups. The predominant masticatory pattern in both groups was the simultaneous bilateral and when it was related to facial asymmetry and masticatory predominance, there were no significant associations. CONCLUSION: no significant differences were found between the control and asthmatic group as for anthropometric measurements, however, the facial asymmetry was observed in the two groups. The simultaneous bilateral masticatory pattern was predominant in both groups, but the relation between facial asymmetry and the predominance of masticatory side were not significant.
Anthropometry; Mastication; Asthma
