Work

Factors influencing development of secondary ossification centres in the fetus and newborn: A postmortem radiological study

Year: 1974

Type: article

Abstract: Whole body radiographs of 379 consecutive perinatal necropsies were used to determine the presence and diameters of secondary ossification centres in the os calcis, talus, distal femur, proximal tibia, cuboid bone, and proximal humerus. An estimate of the normal development for gestational age was obtained from 164 selected cases. The variation in number and size of bone centres was too wide for accurate estimation of maturity in the individual case, but ossification could be classified as relatively normal, advanced, or retarded, and comparisons made between groups of cases. Retardation of ossification was found mainly in association with males and small-for-dates babies, but also in some congenital malformations such as the trisomy syndromes and some multiple births: retardation was suggested in association with toxaemia of pregnancy, increasing maternal age, and increasing parity. Advanced ossification was mainly related to female babies but was also found in relation to other malformations, especially anencephalus, and was suggested in association with Negro infants.

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood

DOI: 10.1136/adc.49.6.425

Authors: J. Pryse-Davies, J. H. Smitham, K. A. Napier

Institution: Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2077057353