1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
2Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MIMER Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra
3Private Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
4Private Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
*Corresponding author: Sachin Sudarshan Patil, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Contact No. 9757179483. E- mail: drsach_patil7@rediffmail.com, E- mail: ravideo80@gmail.com
Online published on 11 August, 2014.
Fetal age estimation is of considerable importance in civil and criminal cases. In addition, accurate fetal age estimation is cornerstone in management of any obstetric and pediatric case. The objectives of the current study were to estimate relation between gestational age and head circumference and also in determining the accuracy of head circumference in estimating gestational age. Another objective was to compare the values with that obtained from previous studies.
The present study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur for the duration of two years having sample size of 99 foetuses. Head circumference was measured as per standard method and regression analysis was used for analyzing the collected data.
A statistically highly significant linear co-relationship between Head circumference (HC) and gestational age (r = 0.897, p < 0.0001) was observed.
Head circumference of the fetuses has shown a significant correlation with gestational age, which is suggestive of accuracy of the present study. Thus it is highly dependable & reliable criterion to estimate the gestational age of fetus.
Fetus, Gestational age estimation, Head circumference
