Iliac Index in Newborns

Abstract

DIAGNOSIS of Down's syndrome (mongolism) is mainly based on physical signs. To these, chromosome studies have been recently added. The latter have made possible the differentiation of three types: the classical trisomic, the translocated, and the mosaic. 1 The three cannot be differentiated by physical examination. Since the procedures for chromosome studies are not yet sufficiently simple to be used for routine diagnostic purposes, the search for other diagnostic procedures has continued and some new ones have been suggested, such as the abnormalities of the pelvic bones, described by Caffey and Ross in 1956. 2 Caffey and Ross, in 1958, 3 reporting a more extensive investigation comprising 48 infants, age 2 days to 12 months, with Down's syndrome, found reduced acetabular and iliac angles and concluded that the findings are diagnostic in about 80% of the cases, suggestive in about 20%, and uncertain or normal in less than 5%. With