Estimation of stature from hand and foot dimensions of annang indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Stature is a significant anthropometric determinant of the physical identity of an individual. Aim: This study was carried out to estimate stature of Nigerian Annang indigenes of Akwa Ibom State from hand and foot dimensions. Methods: Two hundred (200) adults Annang indigenes (100male and female each) were randomly selected for this study. Hand and foot dimensions were obtained by direct linear measurements using a 150mm digital vernier caliper (with accuracy of 0.01mm); while stature was determined by stadiometric measurement of the height (to the nearest 0.1m). Measurements obtained include; second (2D), fourth digit (4D) and right foot length (RFL). All measurement were converted to centimeters (cm). SPSS (IBM® version 20, Armonk, New York, USA) t-test was to evaluate gender difference in the measured dimensions; while Pearson's correlation and Generalized Linear Modeling were used to derive Regression equation for estimation of stature from the measured dimensions. The significance level was set at 95% as P≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The t-test showed that males displayed significantly higher mean values than the females for all measured parameters (P<0.001). Single regression sex specific regression formulae were derived and the result showed that better prediction (r) values were obtained for females F (2D=0.428, 4D=0.430, RFL=0.587; P<0.01) population when compared to males M (2D=0.319, 4D=0.231, RFL=0.456 P<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests the existence of sexual difference in hand and foot dimension and also the possibility of accurately estimating stature from the right foot length, right second and fourth digit

Severe Burns of the Hands; Feet and Head

"The management of burns is well covered by many textbooks- notably; Maurice King's ""Primary Surgery Vol. 2; Trauma"" which is available from the Oxford University Press that has two outlets in Kampala. However; there remain some very difficult burns to treat; and these include those of the palmar surfaces of the hands and the plantar surfaces of the feet; and those of the head. The article addresses these problems. It gives a summary of the general principles; e.g. depths of burn and their importance; and effect of the site of body burned. It highlights management in the acute stage: immediate first aid; the first 24 hours; charting the burn; pain relief and monitoring for life or limb-threatening emergencies. The article discusses monitoring progress and fluid balance; feeding in burns; supervision of the burn itself; and the different types or methods of skin grafting."