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Published on: February 12, 2018
Hand Size Measurements in Children Aged 1-15 Years to Help the Development of Pediatric Electromyography Sensors for
Réka Nemes1,2, Erzsébet Németh1,2, Katalin A Szatmári1,2
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Insights
This study collected pediatric hand measurements to aid in designing electromyography (EMG) electrodes for neuromuscular monitoring in children. Findings provide crucial anthropometric data for pediatric device development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric anthropometry
- Biomedical engineering
- Neuromuscular monitoring
Background:
- Designing pediatric medical devices requires accurate anthropometric data.
- Existing data for pediatric hand dimensions, especially for device design, is limited.
- Electromyography (EMG) based neuromuscular monitoring is crucial in pediatric anesthesia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To collect comprehensive hand measurements and anthropometric data in children aged 1-15 years.
- To establish a pediatric hand size database for the design of pediatric EMG electrodes.
- To inform the development of effective quantitative neuromuscular monitoring tools for pediatric anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 153 children aged 1-15 years.
- Collection of demographic data (age, sex, weight, height, hand dominance) and specific hand/forearm measurements (e.g., wrist circumference, finger lengths).
- Data analysis included age-based grouping and correlation analysis with height, age, and weight.
Main Results:
- Pediatric hand size parameters significantly increase with age.
- Height demonstrated a stronger correlation with hand size parameters (0.702-0.961) compared to age (0.665-0.904) or weight (0.675-0.863).
- A database of pediatric hand measurements was successfully created.
Conclusions:
- The generated pediatric hand size database offers novel insights for device design.
- This data directly contributed to the design of a pediatric skin electrode for EMG monitoring.
- The findings support the integration of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring in pediatric anesthesia practices.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: The aim of this observational study was to collect hand measurements and anthropometric data in children aged 1-15 years of age to help the design of a pediatric skin electrode for electromyography-based neuromuscular monitoring. Methods: Data collection was performed at the Pediatric Department of the University of Debrecen Medical Centre between 1 December 2019 and 31 January 2021. After gaining written informed consent from the parents or legal representatives and verbal acceptance from age-appropriate (12-35 months) patients, a total of 153 children were enrolled. The following parameters were recorded: demographics (age, sex, weight, height, and hand dominance) and hand size parameters, defined as the distance between the following reference points: the ulnar groove and the midpoint of the hypothenar eminence (A); the midpoint of the hypothenar eminence and the first interphalangeal joint of the 5th finger (B); the ulnar groove and the midpoint of the thenar eminence (C); the midpoint of the thenar eminence and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb (D); the midpoint of the wrist crease and the tip of the third finger; wrist circumference (E); and forearm length. All measurements were made in centimeters (cm). Results: The children were divided into 4 groups (12-23 months, 2-5 years, 6-11 years and 12+ years). The number of children in the groups ranged between 6 and 16. The hand size parameters increased according to the children's age (A: 4.3 ± 0.4, 5.0 ± 0.7, 6.3 ± 0.6, and 6.9 ± 1.0 cm; B: 3.2 ± 0.4, 4.1 ± 0.7, 5.0 ± 0.6, and 5.9 ± 0.6 cm; C: 3.0 ± 0.3, 3.6 ± 0.7, 4.1 ± 0.6, and 4.9 ± 0.6 cm; D: 4.1 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.8, 6.2 ± 0.8, and 7.2 ± 0.9 cm; E: 10.1 ± 0.6, 12.0 ± 1.1, 15.3 ± 1.3, and 17.7 ± 1.7 cm, respectively, in the four groups, [mean ± SD]). The height of the children showed a closer correlation with hand size parameters (Pearson's correlation coefficients: 0.702-0.961) than with age (0.665-0.904) or weight (0.675-0.863). The correlation was weaker when data were examined in prespecified age groups. Conclusions: The current pediatric hand size database provides previously unavailable information that was used in one manufacturer's design, which may help with the future design of pediatric electrodes of electromyography-based neuromuscular monitors; this information may facilitate adoption of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring in routine pediatric anesthesia practice.
