2011 Annual Report of the Poison Control Centre of Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

The estimation of IU age of a foetus brought for medicolegal autopsy may not always be an easy task, especially so in partially or totally decomposed, fragmented, mutilated or animal-eaten foetuses, and more so in under developed tropical and subtropical countries like India, where most of the medicolegal work is performed by non-forensic doctors at district as well as primary health centre levels. The foot length, plantar creases, nails of toes and ossification centres for calcaneum, talus and cuboid of 102 foetuses with IU age 12–38 weeks were observed. On comparison with other studies, it is found that the foot length ranges from 5.5 to 5.8 cms at 28 weeks, from 5.9 to 6.1 cms at 30 weeks, and from 6.3 to 6.6 cms at the age of 32 weeks, making it a fairly reliable parameter to know the age of a foetus: whether above or below 30 weeks (legally accepted age of viability in India). Plantar creases, nails and ossification centres may prove fairly reliable parameters when all four-foot criteria are together taken into account. The importance of reconsideration of these four-foot criteria is discussed and a reference table showing these criteria at various IU ages is suggested for rapid and potentially correct assessment of IU age in routine medicolegal practice in countries like India. The legal provisions in Indian Law related to the topic are discussed in short.