Evaluation of the Stature Height in the Maharashtra Population by Using Arm Span Using Regression Equation

Abstract

Measurement of body size such as height and weight are required for assessment of growth and nutritional status of person, determination of basic energy requirements, standardization of measures for physical capacity, for adjusting drug dosage and for identifying an unknown cadaver. However, in some situations it is not possible to measure the stature of a person because of deformities of the limbs, in person who have undergone amputations or in unknown cadavers where lower limb (s) and / or trunk is mutated / absent. In such cases, stature has to be estimated using other body parameters. These estimations are also of prime importance in predicting the age-related loss in stature, identifying individuals with disproportionate growth abnormalities, skeletal dysplasia, medico-legal cases or height loss during surgical procedures on the spine. These measurements also have found application in normalizing pulmonary function in scoliosis. Hence based on these findings the present study was planned for evaluation of the stature height in the Maharashtra population by using arm span using regression equation.
 The present study was planned in Department of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Panjabrao Alias Bhausaheb Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Shivaji Nagar, Amravati. The total 50 cases of the age group from 20 - 45 years were enrolled in the present study. This age group was chosen because the growth of an individual ceases by this age and there is no age related loss in body height at this age.
 Arm span measurement can serve as one of the most reliable body parameter to determine stature of an individual. It is useful in determining related loss in stature and in identifying individuals with disproportionate growth abnormalities. The data generated from the present study concludes that arm-span and hand length can be used in estimation of the height of both males and females. The regression equations so derived can be used in cadavers or an amputee with fairly accurate results. This can be helpful in medico- legal cases as well as in study of anthropology.
 Keywords: Stature Height, Arm Span, Maharashtra Population, etc.