Eur J Anat, 18 (2): 85-92 (2014)

Morhometry of fetal femora as an indication of gestational age

Vidhu Dhawan¹, Kanchan Kapoor², Mahesh Sharma², Balbir Singh³ and Alka Sehgal⁴

¹Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, ²Department of Anatomy, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India, ³Ayush and Health Sciences University, Chhattisgarh, India and ⁴Department of Obst. & Gynae, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India

ABSTRACT The study of the various morphometric parameters of the fetal femora carries significance because of its importance in the estimation of fetal gestational age, detection of skeletal growth anomalies including various congenital malformations, and also in certain cases of fetal demise associated with medico-legal implications. The present study was undertaken in the department of Anatomy, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh with the aim of collecting the morphometric parameters of the fetal femora. The material for the present study consisted of 45 fetuses from 12+1 to 28 weeks of gestation. Various morphometric parameters including CRL, lengths, widths and diameters were taken at different levels. The obtained data were statistically analysed using ANOVA, and Pearsonâ??s correlation coefficients were assessed. The average growth rate of medial and lateral lengths was calculated as 2.36 mm/wk and 2.30 mm/wk. It was assessed that fetal growth is seen to be more because of the increase in femur length as compared to increase in CRL after 20 weeks of gestation. Regression equations from femoral measurements are advised for age estimation from fetal remains in Indian population.

Keywords: Fetal femur, Gestational age, Growth parameters, Growth rate, Morphometry