Pediatric Facial Fracture Study

This is a prospective, long-term, comprehensive growth and development study of the pediatric
craniofacial skeleton following fracture.

This study will encompass two specific aims:

1. To compare the growth and development of the pediatric craniofacial skeleton after
fracture to publish standardized means of dentofacial growth in the Bolton-Brush Growth
Study. Patients will be matched according to age, gender, and ethnicity. The status of
dental eruption will be recorded as well as the vertical and anteroposterior
classification of occlusion. The effect of trauma on the eruption and vitality of
permanent teeth will be recorded. We will further assess the popularly held theories of
craniofacial growth and effects of injury to various facial growth sites (i.e.
mandibular condyles, nasal septum).

2. Attempt to evaluate the effects of various treatment modalities of facial fracture on
skeletal growth and development (i.e. open reduction and internal fixation versus closed
reduction and external fixation), (open reduction and internal fixation with metallic
vs. absorbable fixation). We will evaluate the effect of metallic internal fixation on
subsequent craniofacial skeletal growth and development, as well as the routine needed
for its removal.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Criteria for inclusion in the research study will be any pediatric patient, birth to
18 years, who are in the active phase of craniofacial skeletal growth, and have
sustained a craniofacial fracture.

- The racial, gender and ethnic characteristics of the proposed subject population
reflects the demographics of the University of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area
and/or the patient population of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

- The investigators shall attempt to recruit subjects in respective proportion to these
demographics. No exclusion criteria shall be based on race, ethnicity, gender or HIV
status.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Criteria for exclusion in the research study will be any pediatric patient, birth to
18 years, who are not in the active phase of craniofacial skeletal growth, and have
not sustained a craniofacial fracture.