A study of correlation between anthropometric measurements of fetal limbs and gestational age of the fetus

Abstract

Introduction and Aims Determination of fetal age is of importance in the field of embryology and forensic sciences. Various methods and parameters have been used to calculate the same. The aim of the present study was to derive regression equations between anthropometric measurements of limbs of aborted fetuses and the gestational age of the fetuses. Methods The study has been performed on 30 fetuses of gestational age varying from 13 to 32 weeks. The crown–rump length, length of the arm, forearm, hand, thigh, leg, and sole were measured with the help of manual sliding vernier caliper. Regression equations were derived using statistical methods. Results The anthropometric measurements of the limbs showed a strong correlation with the crown–rump length and the gestational age. Conclusions With the correlation demonstrated between anthropometric data and fetal age, and the regression equations derived using these data, would be helpful in determining the age of the fetus without availability of crown–rump length or using only fragments of mortal remains of the fetus.

Keywords

• fetus
• age
• crl
• morphometry