Normative Data of Ulnar Length in Pediatric Indian Population.

Objective The aim of this study is to create clinical normative data for ulnar length in the pediatric population and to demonstrate the usefulness of such data. Materials and Methods A nationally representative sample of healthy children aged 1 day to 18 years from five centers across India was collected. The percutaneous length of the ulna was measured by using a certified calibrated measuring tape across all centers. Other variables such as geographical domicile, dominance of the hand, age, body mass index (BMI), and sex of the child were also recorded. Results In total, 1,300 children (883 males and 417 females) with age ranging from 1 day to 18 years were included in the study. Gradual lengthening of the ulna was seen in both male and female children with increasing age without a significant difference; however, at 8, 9, and 14 years, there was significant lengthening of the ulna in males compared with females although the difference was statistically insignificant at 17 years. Apropos BMI at 16 years of age, a longer ulna was observed in obese children. Later on, at 18 years, the difference in ulnar length was insignificant. South Indian children had a significantly longer ulna up to the age of 11 years, but after the age of 11 years there was no difference in ulnar length in all zones. The length of the ulna was not affected by hand dominance. There was good inter-observer agreement and reliability between different centres. Age, zone, and gender, had statistically significant effect on the length of ulna but BMI and hand dominance was not significant. Conclusion This multicentric study provides normative data on the percutaneous length of the ulna in the Indian pediatric population. Gradual lengthening of the ulna was seen in all children with increasing age. The length of the ulna was significantly more in male, obese, and in South Indian children. However, except for age, other factors become insignificant at maturity.

Normative Values for Thumb Length in Central Indian Adult Population.

Introduction This article aims to establish the relative thumb length in comparison to the index finger in central Indian adults. Materials and Methods Five hundred normal adult hands (1,000 thumbs), 316 men and 184 women, mean age 30 years, were included in the study. The relative length of the thumb was measured using the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger (thumb-proximal phalanx index) and the distance between the proximal digital crease and proximal interphalangeal crease of the index finger (thumb-digital crease index). Results The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 69% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger and 38% of the distance between the two proximal creases of the index finger. The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 68% for male and 69% for female of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. For the dominant hand the tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 68%, while for nondominant hand it reaches 71% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. The difference between the laterality, gender, and hand dominance was not statistically significant. Conclusion The tip of a normal adducted thumb extends to 69% of the length of the proximal phalanx of the index finger and 38% of the distance between the two proximal creases of the index finger. Relative normal thumb length is independent of gender, laterality, or hand dominance.