Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Morphometric analysis of abdominal organs and rib cage: Implication for risk of solid organ injuries in children
Calista M Harbaugh1, Maksim A Shlykov, Ryan E Tsuchida
1From the Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (C.M.H., J.H., P.F.E.), The University of Michigan Medical School and The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Section of Trauma Burn Surgery, Department of Surgery (S.C.W.), International Center for Automotive Medicine (S.A.H., S.C.W., P.F.E.), and The University of Michigan Medical School (M.A.S., R.E.T.), Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Insights
Pediatric organ and rib cage anatomy was modeled using CT scans. Younger children may have decreased fractional organ volume and increased liver exposure, informing child safety restraint design.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric anatomy
- Biomechanical engineering
- Trauma research
Background:
- Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of child mortality.
- Children experience more multiorgan injuries than adults due to unique anatomy.
- Underdeveloped rib cages and larger relative organ size contribute to pediatric injury patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe pediatric solid organ and rib cage anatomy using analytic morphomics.
- To quantify changes in organ volume and exposure with age and weight.
- To provide data for improving child safety in motor vehicles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized anonymized CT scans from 215 pediatric trauma patients (0-18 years).
- Modeled liver, spleen, and kidney volumes using semiautomatic algorithms.
- Analyzed rib cage anatomy in 31 scans and correlated organ metrics with age and weight.
Main Results:
- Organ volumes (liver, spleen, kidneys) increased with age and weight.
- Fractional kidney and liver volumes decreased with age; spleen fractional volume remained constant.
- Liver surface exposure decreased with age, particularly in anterior and right views.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of modeling pediatric organ and rib cage anatomy via imaging.
- Younger children may exhibit decreased fractional organ volume and increased liver exposure.
- Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to refine findings for safety applications.
Background:
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related mortality in children, with a higher rate of multiorgan injuries than in adults. This may be related to increased solid organ volume relative to abdominal cavity and decreased protection of an underdeveloped cartilaginous rib cage in young children. To date, these anatomic relationships have not been fully described. Our study used analytic morphomics to obtain precise measures of the pediatric liver, spleen, kidneys, and ribs.
Methods:
This pilot study included 215 trauma patients (aged 0-18 years) with anonymized computed tomography (CT) scans. Liver, spleen, and kidney volumes were modeled using semiautomatic algorithms (MATLAB 2013a, MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA). Thirty-one scans were adequate to model the rib cage. Pearson's r was used to correlate absolute organ volume, fractional organ volume, and organ exposure with age and weight.
Results:
Spleen, right and left kidney, and liver volumes increased with age and weight (p < 0.01). Right/left kidney and liver fractional volumes decreased with age (p < 0.01), whereas spleen fractional volume remained relatively constant. Exposed surface area of the liver only significantly decreased with age in the anterior (p < 0.01), right (p < 0.01), and posterior views (p = 0.02).
Discussion:
With this study, we have demonstrated the ability to model solid organ and rib cage anatomy of children using cross-sectional imaging. In younger children, there may be a decrease in fractional organ volume and increase in liver surface exposure, although analysis of a larger sample size is warranted. In the future, this information may be used to improve the design of safety restraints in motor vehicles.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17The Thoracic Cage: Sternum
The sternum is the elongated bony structure on the anterior side of the thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:20Introduction to the Skeletal System
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:20The Thoracic Cage: Ribs
Parts of a Typical Rib
A typical rib has a head, neck, and body. The posterior end of the rib is called the head, followed by a narrow neck. The head articulates primarily with the costal...
01:09Overview of the Axial Skeleton
The axial skeleton of the...