Objective. To compare the asymmetry displayed by Philippine, Colombian, and Ethiopian unaffected parents of patients with\r\nnonsyndromic cleft palate (NSCLP) and a control population. Methods. Facial measurements were compared between unaffected\r\nparents of NSCLP patients and those in the control group for three populations from South America, Asia, and Africa by\r\nanthropometric and photographic measurements. Fluctuating and directional asymmetries, height and width proportions, were\r\nanalyzed and compared. Results. Fluctuating asymmetries (ear length, middle line to Zigion perpendicular for left and right sides)\r\nand variations in the facial thirds demonstrated statistical significance in the study group of unaffected parents from Colombia and\r\nPhilippines, while increased interorbital distance was evident in the unaffected Ethiopian parents of NSCLP patients. Conclusions.\r\nThe facial differences in unaffected parents could indicate an underlying genetic liability. Identification of these differences has\r\nrelevance in the understanding of the etiology of NSCLP.
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