Objective
To identify the normal range, distribution, and age-dependent differences in the cephalic index (CI) of Korean children with normal brain development and develop a classification of the current CI for Korean children up to 7 years of age.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 1,389 children who visited our hospital in the emergency room between October 2015 and September 2020 because of suspected head injuries. Finally, 1,248 children (741 male and 507 female) were enrolled after excluding abnormal medical or familial history and divided into 10 groups by age. The CI was measured using brain computed tomography and calculated according to the following equation: cephalic width/cephalic length×100.
Results
The averages of CI by age groups were as follows: 89.29 (0–3 months group, n=44); 91.41 (4–6 months group, n=63); 89.68 (7–9 months group, n=62); 87.52 (10–12 months group, n=41); 87.64 (≥2 years group, n=243); 86.63 (≥3 years group, n=178); 85.62 (≥4 years group, n=232); 85.77 (≥5 years group, n=201); 85.15 (≥6 years group, n=75); and 85.34 (≥7 years group, n=109). The CI of Korean children in normal brain development was confirmed to be large, showing a notable difference compared to that of Caucasians.
Conclusion
The current CI of Korean children will provide a valuable reference for diagnosing and treating cranial deformities, especially dolichocephaly and brachycephaly as well as to monitor the morphology of the cranium in clinics.

Citations

• Characterization of cranial growth patterns using craniometric parameters and best-fit logarithmic growth curves
  Sungmi Jeon, Jee Hyeok Chung, Seung-Hak Baek, Il Hyung Yang, Kang Young Choi, Hyung Joon Seo, Jin Yong Shin, Byung Jun Kim
  Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.2024; 52(1): 30.     CrossRef
• 3D printing for Growth Adaptive Medical Devices: an alternative approach for craniosynostosis
  Andrea Mussini, Luke Carter, Victor Villapun, Emily Cao, Sophie Cox, Paola Ginestra
  Procedia CIRP.2024; 125: 319.     CrossRef
• Craniofacial Measurements and Indices Trends in Latvian Children Aged 1–15
  Arta Grabcika, Dzintra Kazoka, Janis Vetra, Mara Pilmane
  Children.2024; 11(9): 1141.     CrossRef
• Cephalic index and horizontal point of maximum width in children with normal brain development in China
  Qinchuan Liang, Zhipeng Shen, Shouqin Sun, Jie Gong, Nan Bao
  BMC Pediatrics.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Allometry of human calvaria bones during development from birth to 8 years of age shows a nonlinear growth pattern
  Cristina Goes Schaurich, Anthony N. Saraco, Maanas Hemanth Oruganti, Mandeep S. Tamber, Rainer Guilherme Haetinger, Ishan Dixit, Bailey S. Y. Lo, Claudia Krebs, Paul Steinbok
  Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Cranial shapes of Japanese preterm infants at one month of age using a three-dimensional scanner
  Hiroshi Miyabayashi, Nobuhiko Nagano, Risa Kato, Shin Hashimoto, Katsuya Saito, Takanori Noto, Shoko Ohashi, Ken Masunaga, Ichiro Morioka
  Brain and Development.2022; 44(10): 690.     CrossRef

Objective
To examine the correlation between ultrasonographic trunk muscle parameters and balance scales in mild acute stroke patients.
Methods
A total of 55 stroke patients with hemiparesis and motor power grade ≥4 in the manual motor test were included. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Trunk Control Test (TCT) were used to evaluate patient balance function. Ultrasonographic parameters were measured on both non-paretic and paretic sides of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Resting thickness and contraction thickness were measured in all muscles, and contractility and contractility ratio were calculated based on measured thicknesses. The differences between paretic and non-paretic muscle parameters, and the correlation between ultrasonographic parameters and balance scales were analyzed. Stroke patients were divided into two groups according to their fall risk. Ultrasonographic measurements between the two groups were compared.
Results
All muscles’ contraction thickness and contractility were significantly different between paretic and non-paretic sides (p<0.001). Contractility ratios of all trunk muscles showed a significant correlation with SARA, BBS, TUG, and TCT (p<0.05). Contractility ratios of all muscles were significantly different between high- and low-risk fall groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
The contractility ratio in stroke patients reflects their balance disturbance and fall risk and it may serve as a new parameter for ultrasound imaging of trunk muscles.

Citations

• Immediate effects of trunk Kinesio Taping® on functional parameters in the acute stage of patients with mild stroke: A randomized controlled trial
  Asalet Aybüke Güp, Banu Bayar
  Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.2024; 40(7): 1447.     CrossRef
• Investigation of the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Sitting Balance Scale in individuals with stroke
  Kübra Çapraz, Saniye Aydoğan Arslan, Teoman Çolak
  Acta Neurologica Belgica.2024; 124(1): 81.     CrossRef
• The investigation of ultrasound to assess lateral abdominal wall activation with different types of core exercises
  Nan Hu, Fengshan Huang, Rui Yu, Neil Chen Yi Lun MacAlevey, Yi Zeng, Ping Miao
  BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Respiratory muscle ultrasonography evaluation and its clinical application in stroke patients: A review
  Xiaoman Liu, Ying Yang, Jie Jia
  Frontiers in Neuroscience.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• BOBATH vs. TASK-ORIENTED TRAINING AFTER STROKE: An assessor-blind randomized controlled trial
  Gülşah Sütçü, Levent Özçakar, Ali İmran Yalçın, Muhammed Kılınç
  Brain Injury.2023; 37(7): 581.     CrossRef
• Association between trunk core muscle thickness and functional ability in subacute hemiplegic stroke patients: an exploratory cross-sectional study
  Jee Hyun Suh, Eun Chae Lee, Joo Sup Kim, Seo Yeon Yoon
  Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.2022; 29(3): 163.     CrossRef
• Ultrasonography of abdominal muscles: Differential diagnosis of late-onset Pompe disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1
  Pei-Chen Hsieh, Chun-Wei Chang, Long-Sun Ro, Chin-Chang Huang, Jia-En Chi, Hung-Chou Kuo
  Frontiers in Neurology.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Investigation of Structural Changes in Rectus Abdominis Muscle According to Curl-Up Angle Using Ultrasound with an Extended Field of View
  Chansol Park, Hwi-Young Cho, Chang-Ki Kang
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(21): 14525.     CrossRef
• Trunk Muscle Activation Patterns During Standing Turns in Patients With Stroke: An Electromyographic Analysis
  I-Hsuan Chen, Pei-Jung Liang, Valeria Jia-Yi Chiu, Shu-Chun Lee
  Frontiers in Neurology.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef