Open AccessComparative study of neonatal clitoral length measurement using calliper and spatula
Author(s) -
AO Adekoya,
MB Fetuga,
Claudel Jean-Pierre,
AO Adekoya,
ED Ajibola
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annals of health research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2536-6149
DOI - 10.30442/ahr.0701-01-110
Subject(s) - calipers , medicine , ogun state , significant difference , orthodontics , dentistry , mathematics , geometry , public administration , political science , local government
Background: When standard instruments are unavailable for clitoral length measurement, improvisation with locally available tools could be of diagnostic value.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how the clitoral length measured with a wooden spatula compared to that measured with a caliper.Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Three hundred and five term female infants were recruited from multiple health facilities in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. The clitoral length was measured with a sliding digital caliper and a wooden spatula (tongue depressor). All the measurements were taken within the first 72 hours of life and comparative analysis was carried out.Results: The mean (± SD) clitoral length using the sliding digital caliper and the spatula were 6.7 ± 1.6 mm and 6.5 ± 1.8 mm respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean values of both measurements (t = 1.369, p = 0.171). Pearson’s correlation showed that both variables were significantly correlated (r = 0.693, p < 0.001) and the spatula length was a moderate predictor of the caliper length (Coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.48 and p < 0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the determination of clitoral length using a spatula, commonly found in all community settings, is similar to determination of clitoral length using a digital caliper, most often used for clinical research.