Avaliação craniofacial em síndrome de Asperger

Abstract

The Asperger Syndrome (AS) is one of the conditions that make up the autism spectrum disorders, which are part of a group of severe psychiatric disorders are common in the general population and complex, called Pervasive Developmental Disorders. This syndrome is characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction and restricted patterns of interest, however, there is no delay in language acquisition, speech is often pragmatic and memory is prodigious. Although most studied in neurological and behavioral context, the craniofacial phenotype is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the cephalometric measurements for Cone Beam Computed Tomography in patients with SA, for investigation of craniofacial changes, even that may influence the masticatory and respiratory functions. Measurements were carried out craniofacial cephalometrics obtained by 3D measurement of head circumference and facial and intraoral photographs of 10 individuals with AS, which were compared with a control group comprising 10 individuals of the same sex and age. The measurements obtained were compared with standard 2D measures already in place. There were no occlusal problems, facial features or specific phenotypic abnormalities in the group with AS. Individuals with AS had more difficulty chewing hard foods. Anatomical changes in the airways, characterized as septal deviations, turbinate hypertrophy and obstruction of the frontal and maxillary sinuses were more frequent in individuals with AS. These findings may be characteristic of AS and justify the difficulty of nasal breathing and chewing reported by the group.