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Fetal age: Methods of estimation and effects of pathology
Author(s) -
Sherwood Richard J.,
Meindl R.S.,
Robinson H.B.,
May R.L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/1096-8644(200011)113:3<305::aid-ajpa3>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - gestational age , fetus , medicine , estimation , estimator , anthropometry , radiography , pregnancy , obstetrics , physiology , statistics , mathematics , surgery , biology , genetics , management , economics
Accurate identification of fetal age is important in a wide variety of circumstances. Seventeen anthropometric and radiographic measurements were taken on fetuses between 15 and 42 weeks of gestational age, both with and without pathologic conditions. A full evaluation including radiographic, karyotypic, gross anatomic, and histologic examination of the fetus and placenta identified 72 individuals as nondysmorphic with no signs of chronic uterovascular insufficiency. These specimens served as the control group. Based on least‐squares regressions of this group, age‐estimation equations were calculated for all variables. Six models were adequately described by linear equations; the remaining 11 required a quadratic term. Based on standard error of the estimate ( S y : x ), skeletal measures proved the most accurate age estimators. Pathologic conditions were shown to have an influence on age estimation indicated by high levels of inaccuracy and, in some instances, significant bias. Am J Phys Anthropol 113:305–315, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.