Abstract
New Zealand Māori and Pacific Island ethnic groups are making up an increasingly larger proportion of New Zealand's population. Intercanthal distance (ICD) and interpupillary distances (IPD) are important clinical measurements in the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired deformities of the craniofacial complex. The ICD and IPD have been found to differ, sometimes considerably, between the sexes and ethnic groups. This study is the first to establish these measurements for New Zealand Māori and Samoan populations.
For New Zealand Māori males the mean ICD was 32.1mm with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.6mm, and the mean IPD was 63.3mm, SD 3.8mm. For New Zealand Māori females the mean ICD was 30.7mm, SD2.7mm and the mean IPD was 60.1mm, SD2.8mm. For Samoan males the mean ICD was 33.9mm, SD2.5mm and the mean IPD 64.5mm, SD3.5mm. For Samoan females mean ICD was 32.9mm, SD2.3mm and their mean IPD was 61.7mm, SD2.8mm.
Consistent with other ethnicities New Zealand Māori and Samoan males have wider values for ICD and IPD than females respectively. New Zealand Māori measurements tend to lie within the normal values established for Caucasian populations, whilst Samoans have larger values.