A Statistical Skull Geometry Model for Children 0-3 Years Old

• Authors: Zhigang Li, Beijing Jiaotong University; Byoung-Keon Park, University of Michigan; Weiguo Liu, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Automobile Safety Technology; Jinhuan Zhang, Tsinghua University; Matthew P. Reed, University of Michigan; Jonathan Rupp, Emory University; Carrie N. Hoff, University of Michigan; Jingwen Hu, University of Michigan
• Journal Title: PLoS ONE
• Volume: Volume 10, Number 5
• Publisher: Public Library of Science | 2015-05-18, Pages e0127322-e0127322
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127322
• Subjects: Engineering, Biomedical; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; FINITE-ELEMENT-ANALYSIS; REAL-WORLD TRAUMA; HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE; CRANIAL BONE; BRAIN; INJURY; IMPACT; INFANTS; SHAPE

Abstract

Head injury is the leading cause of fatality and long-term disability for children. Pediatric heads change rapidly in both size and shape during growth, especially for children under 3 years old (YO). To accurately assess the head injury risks for children, it is necessary to understand the geometry of the pediatric head and how morphologic features influence injury causation within the 0-3 YO population. In this study, head CT scans from fifty-six 0-3 YO children were used to develop a statistical model of pediatric skull geometry. Geometric features important for injury prediction, including skull size and shape, skull thickness and suture width, along with their variations among the sample population, were quantified through a series of image and statistical analyses. The size and shape of the pediatric skull change significantly with age and head circumference. The skull thickness and suture width vary with age, head circumference and location, which will have important effects on skull stiffness and injury prediction. The statistical geometry model developed in this study can provide a geometrical basis for future development of child anthropomorphic test devices and pediatric head finite element models.