The relationship of masseter muscle thickness and Body Mass Index (BMI) in children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate-an Ultrasonographic study

Background and Objectives: The masseter muscle has a major influence on the transverse growth of the mid face.It has also been shown that delay in the growth and development is the principle reason behind small size of the body or reduced Body Mass Index (BMI) in cleft patients. The aims of this study were to measure the masseter muscle thickness and BMI and to correlate the relationship in Unilateral Cleft lip and Palate (UCLP) patients. Materials and Method : 30 children with UCLP (11males and 19females) and 30 non-CLP (17 males and 13females) children in the age group of 10 to 15 years were selected. The masseter muscle thickness was measured by a real-time ultrasound imaging technique. The measurements were performed under relaxed and in contracted position. BMI was calculated using the standard formula for each individual. The data was analyzed using ANOVA and Pearsons correlation analysis. Results : Under relaxed conditions, the mean muscle thickness in cleft children was 8.1( 1.3) mm, and under contracted conditions it was 10.3 ( 1.5) mm. In non-cleft children the respective measurements were 8.4 ( 1.6) mm and 10.5 ( 2.1) mm. The mean BMI for cleft individuals was 16.2 ( 3.0) kg/cm 2 and for non cleft group, it was16.0 (1.6) kg/cm 2 . Conclusion: UCLP children have decreased masseter muscle thickness and an increased BMI but the differences were not statistically significant when compared to non-cleft individuals. Masseter muscle thickness in contracted condition was found to be significantly correlated to BMI in UCLP individuals.