The nasal cavity in the newborn represents the initial part of the respiratory system, and its anatomical and functional integrity has a direct impact on respiratory function, especially during the first days of life when newborns breathe exclusively through their nose. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphometric parameters of the nasal cavity in newborns and to correlate it with gender, gestational age, and the side of the nasal cavity. Also, the correlation between these parameters and anthropometric measurements of the newborns, including birth weight (BW), body length (BL), head circumference (HC), and gestational age was analyzed. The study was conducted on a sample of 80 newborns (39 male and 41 female), of which 20 were preterm and 60 were term. Using head computed tomography (CT) scans, parameters of the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds of the nasal cavity were measured, and anthropometric data were obtained from the medical records. Statistically significant gender related differences were found in the anterior bony width (ABW) and anterior mucosal width (AMW). Gestational age was significantly associated with ABW, AMW, bony choanal aperture width (BCAW), and maximal vomer width (MVW). In relation to the side of the nasal cavity, a significant difference was found between right and left anterior mucosal widths (RAMW and LAMW). Also, ABW, AMW, and BCAW showed statistically significant correlations with BW, BL, HC, and gestational age.These results may contribute to a better understanding of the development of the nasal cavity in the neonatal period, as well as potential differences in anatomical structure between different groups of newborns.

KEY WORDS: Nasal cavity; Newborn; Morphometry; Computed tomography.