Study of Carpal Bone Ossification by Using Radiological Method for Age Estimation of Infant and Paediatric Group in North Indian Population

ABSTRACT

Background: Ossification of carpal bones forms the most significant aspect of development in clinical sciences and in medical jurisprudence. Important factors influencing the process of ossification include age, sex, heredity, the state of nourishment and particular geographical region may not be exactly similar to that in another area. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the average age of appearance of the ossification centre of Indian population in comparison with western data. Materials & Methods: Present work was performed in 200 healthy individual of both sexes of which  date of birth proof was present .  X-ray of carpal bones were taken for presence or absence of centre of ossification of the individual carpal bones. Results: In the present study 102(51%)males  and 98 (49%) females  were taken who had accurate birth certificate indicating their age from  < 6 month to 12 year. Variation in the appearance of centre of ossification in carpal bones shows influence of race, climate, nutritional, and geographical factors. Conclusion: Ossification of carpal bones  in the population of North India occur 1-2 year later then  Europeans and  appearance of the ossification centre is earlier in females  than males .