Evaluation of the influence of maternal parity on neonatal anthropometric parameters among Hausas in Kano state

Maternal Parity has been shown to increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, and mortality. The study was designed to evaluate the influence of maternal parity on neonatal anthropometric parameters among Hausas in Kano. Five hundred and twenty one subjects (mothers and babies) participated in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect the biodata, parity and other anthropometric variables (birth weight, birth length, head circumference, chest circumference, thigh circumference, mid upper arm circumference, hand length, hand breadth, foot length, foot breadth).The anthropometric variables were measured using standard procedures.One way ANOVA was used to determine the differences in neonatal variables across different categories of parity. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 20 statistical software was used for data analyses. The result shows that the mothers within the 1st category of parity give birth to babies with lower birth weight and smaller thigh circumference when compared with 2nd, 3rd and 4th. However, in birth length, head circumference and chest circumference of the neonate the differences (p < 0.001) were observed only between 1st and 2nd category of parity. Moreover, the mid upper arm circumference has similar pattern with addition to 3rd categories. In conclusion, the parity of the mother was found to influence the neonatal  anthropometric variables.Keywords: Maternal Parity, Neonatal Anthropometry, Hausa

Accessory Transversarium Foramen of Cervical Vertebrae: A Case Study

The anatomical variations of the cervical vertebrae as reported in most classical anatomical textbooks mainly include: cervical ribs, non fusion of the halves of the posterior arch of the atlas, presence of articular facets on the superior margin of the anterior arch of the atlas incase of presence of a third occipital condyle. A male cadaver preserved by means of the routine embalming techniques following the completion of dissection was used for bone maceration. The soft tissues were removed and the cervical vertebrae were studied for variations. The variations recorded in this study include the presence of accessory transverse foramina in the atlas, C5 and C6, The presence of an accessory foramen transversarium in the cervical vertebra is a rare variation. It narrowed the size of the real transverse process and this may result in pressure on the vertebral artery and the sympathetic plexus embedding it. Similarly the narrowing of the transverse foramen may result in formation of atheromatose plaque which may also result to thrombosis emboli or just reflex spasm. The implications of these variations in the anatomy of this region should be noted by neurologist and by those who advocate instrumentation of the cervical vertebrae.Key words: Cervical vertebra, Atlas, Accessory transverse foramina, Foramen transversariu

Regression equation for estimation of length of humerus from its mophometry in a Nigerian population

Background: While intact long bones are most ideal in estimation of the stature of unidentified individual, in forensic cases as may occur when natural or man-made disasters present bone fragments, regression equations derived from measurements of these bone fragments have been used to determine the length of the intact long bone.Objective: The study reports on the morphometry of the humerus and the estimation of its length using regression equations in a Nigerian population.Methods: The maximum length of the humerus was measured using an osteometric board while the Anatomical neck circumference (ANC), Anatomical neck diameter (AND), mid shaft diameter (MSD), olecranon vertical diameter (OVD), olecranon transverse diameter (OTD), transverse diameter of the inferior articular surface (IASD), transverse trochlea diameter (TTD) proximal point of the caput humeri and collum anatomicum (CHCAD), proximal edge of the fossa olecrani (PEFO) and the most distal point of trochlea humeri (FOTHD) and the biepicondylar width (BEW) of the distal segment were measured using a digital vernier caliper. Partial correlation and Persian regression were used to derive linear regression equations for the measured parameters that showed correlation with the humeral length.Results: Estimation of the maximum length of the humerus from the measures of its ANC, FOTHD, and MSD was achieved with relative accuracy. In deriving regression equations for the length of the humerus of the right and left sides, irrespective of side, the ANC and MSD were both significant in estimating the maximum length of the humerus; on the right side only the ANC exhibited significant correlation, while on the left side both the ANC and FOTHD exhibited significant correlation.Conclusion: These previously unreported findings may help in anthropometric, forensic, and archaeological investigations for the estimation of the stature of the remains of unknown bodies by using regression equations in a Nigerian population.Keywords: Regression equations, humerus, morphometry, Nigerian populatio