Post-mortem estimation of gestational age and maturation of new-borns by CT examination of clavicle length, femoral length and femoral bone nuclei

Human shoulder development is adapted to obstetrical constraints

SignificanceDuring human birth, the risk of complications is relatively high because of the comparatively large dimensions of the fetal head and shoulders relative to the maternal birth canal. Here we show that humans exhibit a developmental mode of the shoulders that likely contributes to mitigating obstetrical problems. Human shoulder growth is decelerated before birth but accelerated after birth, which stands in contrast to the more uniform shoulder growth trajectories of chimpanzees and macaques. This indicates that fetal developmental modifications were required during human evolution not only in the head but also in the shoulders to compensate obstetrical constraints.

Finding alternative sites for intraosseous infusions in newborns

AIM

Intraosseous (IO)-access plays an alternative route during resuscitation. Our study in preterm and term stillborns was performed to find alternative IO puncture sites beside the recommended proximal tibia.

METHODS

The cadavers used were legal donations. 20 stillborns (mean: 29.2weeks, IQR 27.1-39.6) were investigated. Spectral-CT were analysed to calculate the diameter and circumferences of: i) proximal humerus ii) distal femur iii) proximal tibia iv) diaphyseal tibial. Contrast medium was applied under video documentation to investigate the drainage into the vascular system.

RESULTS

In term newborns, diameter of the cortex of the proximal humeral head is 12.1 ± 1.8 mm, distal end of the femur 11.9 ± 3.4 mm and the proximal tibial bone 12.0 ± 2.4 mm with cross-sectional diameter of 113.5 ± 19.7 mm2, 120.6 ± 28.2 mm2 and 111.6 ± 29.5 mm2, respectively. Regarding the preterm groups, there is a strong age-related growth in diameter and cross -sectional size. The diaphyseal area is the smallest in all measured bones with an age-dependent increase and is about half of that of metaphyseal diameters (proximal and distal) and about one third of that of metaphyseal cross sectional areas. The proximal femoral head region has the largest diameter of all measured bones with an egg-shaped formation with an extensive joint capsula. All investigated metaphyseal areas lack a clearly enclosed bone marrow cavity. Infusion of contrast medium into the distal femoral end and the proximal humerus head demonstrate the drainage of contrast medium into the central venous system within seconds.

CONCLUSION

Proximal humeral head and distal femoral end might be alternative IO areas which may lead to further IO puncture sites in neonates.