64 preparations of human fetuses and neonates have been studied to determine the peculiarities of the chronological sequence of temporal transformations of the formation and topography of the supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina in fetuses and neonates. The following adequate anatomical research methods have been used: macromicropreparation, morphometry, making topographic anatomical sections, X-ray, computed tomography, and statistical method.
According to the concept of the State program “Healthy Child” for 2008-2017, the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine № 52 of 02.02.2011 “On approval of the Concept of further development of perinatal care and the plan of implementation measures of the Concept”, within the National project “A new life – a new quality of mother and child care” and the State program of transition to international system of accounting and statistics from 01.01.2007 (the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine № 179 of 29.03.2006 “On approval of the instructions for determining the criteria for perinatal period, live births and stillbirths, and the procedure of live births and stillbirths registration”), the results of the research can be used in laboratories for morphological material screening to assess fetal development, maturity and viability. The results can also be helpful for prenatal diagnosis of abnormalities and their correction, and for gestational age determination.
The research complements the information about the perinatal development of the supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina. Determined correlations between the supraorbital, infraorbital, mental foramina and face, skull, and fetus parameters during fetal and early neonatal periods of human ontogenesis, their morphometric parameters together with created mathematical models can be an anatomical basis for discovering the mechanisms of the formation of structural variations, congenital malformations and acquired facial pathology.
The obtained data on individual and age-related anatomical variability of the supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina in fetuses and neonates provide the basis for the determination of facial structures variant anatomy in the postnatal period of human ontogenesis. The data are also the foundation for the improvement of existing methods in perinatology, pediatric otolaryngology, and pediatric dentistry and for the development of new ones.
The results of the research complement the data on age-related anatomy and fetal topography of facial structures. The results can be used for the development of new methods of intrauterine surgical repair of some facial abnormalities. The obtained data on topographic and anatomical features of the supraorbital, infraorbital and mental foramina are the theoretical basis for further experimental and comparative anatomical research in clinical and perinatal anatomy. The results of the research can be used for the creation of manuals, atlases and monographs on embryology, normal anatomy, clinical anatomy, pediatric otolaryngology, dentistry, and forensic medicine.
