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Skeletal measurements among infants who die during the perinatal period: new population-based reference
Øystein E Olsen1, Rolv T Lie, Helga Maartmann-Moe
1Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway. oeol@start.no
Insights
New reference data for infant skeletal measurements during the perinatal period is now available. These skeletal measurements can aid in assessing fetal growth and detecting abnormalities in deceased infants.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Pediatric radiology
- Skeletal biology
Background:
- Lack of population-based reference data for skeletal measurements in perinatal deceased infants.
- Pre-autopsy radiographs are valuable for studying skeletal development.
- Need for standardized skeletal data in perinatal mortality studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish new population-based reference data for skeletal measurements in infants who died during the perinatal period.
- To provide a resource for the assessment of fetal growth and skeletal abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Standardized pre-autopsy radiographs were taken of fetuses and infants from 16 weeks gestational age to 7 days postpartum over 11 years.
- Data encompassed nearly all perinatal deaths in a defined geographical area.
- Calculated 10th-90th centiles and quartiles for skeletal measurements by gestational age.
Main Results:
- High correlations observed between birth weight and skeletal measurements (e.g., cranial width, r>0.9).
- No asymmetrical skeletal growth patterns were identified.
- Presented reference plots for femur, tibia, humerus, radius, lumbar spine, and pelvic width.
Conclusions:
- Population-based reference data for skeletal measurements are beneficial for perinatal infants.
- Skeletal radiographic measurements can significantly aid in assessing fetal growth stage.
- These data assist in detecting skeletal abnormalities in infants during the perinatal period.
Background:
Reference data for roentgen skeletal measurements among infants who die during the perinatal period is not available, although it might prove helpful in the study of pre-autopsy radiographs.
Objective:
Our aim was to define new population-based reference data for skeletal measurements among infants who die during the perinatal period.
Materials And Methods:
We routinely took standardised pre-autopsy radiographs of aborted and stillborn fetuses from 16 weeks gestational age to 7 days after delivery during a period of 11 years in our hospital. The data presented here represents nearly all perinatal deaths in a well-defined geographical area during the study period. We calculated detailed plots of estimated 10th-90th centiles and quartiles of different skeletal measurements by gestational age at death.
Results:
High correlations were seen between birth weight and the different skeletal measurements, including cranial width ( r>0.9, P<0.001). We were not able to identify any asymmetrical pattern of skeletal growth. Reference plots for femoral, tibial, humeral, radial and lumbar spine lengths, and for pelvic width are presented.
Conclusions:
We suggest that the current population-based reference data might be beneficial, and that skeletal radiographic measurements might contribute substantially in the assessment of fetal growth stage and in detection of skeletal abnormalities in infants who die during the perinatal period.