Cephalic Index in a Young Adult Nigerian Population

Abstract

Population variations in cephalic index are due to interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Besides its use in classifying populations, the shape of the head is known to be distinctive in some diseases. A cross sectional study of 402 male and 268 female students of University of Nigeria Enugu Campus was done. Their ages ranged from 20 to 28. The mean values of head length in males and females were 19.5+0.7cm and 15.7+0.6 respectively. The values for the head breadth were 18.6+0.6cm and15.4+0.5cm respectively. Males had significantly higher values of head length and breadth than females, p < 0.001. The mean cephalic index of males was 80.9+3.7% while that of females was 82.8+3.3%. The sex dimorphism was statistically significant, p < 0.01. Sixty percent of males and 78% of females were brachycephalic. Only 3% of males and 1% of females were dolichocephalic. Our study has provided normal values of head length and breadth, and cephalic index for our population. It also suggests that there is a secular growth trend towards brachycephalization in our population.