Morphometric analysis of the clavicle in human foetuses

Abstract

IntroductionA lot of work has been done till date to assess the age of the foetuses (in utero), by means of clinical examination, radiographically, ultrasonographically. But not much effort has been made to assess the age of a dead foetus or of foetal remains for forensic study or for medicolegal purposes. Morphometric studies have been done earlier on long bones of foetuses but it lacked information about human foetal clavicle. Manual measurements will give the most precise data than by radiography or by sonography. Recently the various invasive and non-invasive approaches aimed at correction of different foetal defects has lead to the emergence of a highly promising super speciality of foetal therapy which has now further enhanced the scope of study on foetal anatomy. Materials and methods30 human foetuses (14 weeks to 33 weeks) without congenital craniovertebral anomalies were divided into five groups on the basis of gestational age. Clavicles were dissected out in all the foetuses. Various parameters were considered which include weight, length, circumference, diameters at different levels. Student's ‘t’ test was used to analyse the results. Results and discussionThe human foetal clavicle was found to grow steadily in all its parameters. Weight and the interclavicular distance, also showed steady increase throughout intra-uterine growth. ConclusionAll the parameters, therefore, can be used to determine the age of live or dead foetuses which is of medicolegal importance.