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.

The Normal Static Two-Point Discrimination in the Palmar Aspect of Hand in Adults and Children in a Sample Indian Population.

Background The normal ability to distinguish two points from one is known as the two-point discriminative (2PD) sense. This forms an extremely important assessment in patient with injuries to the nerves distributed to the upper extremity. Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the normal reference values of static 2PD in healthy adults and children. Materials and Methods A total of 624 normal adults comprising 380 men and 244 women were recruited randomly for the study at three different centers. Additionally, 172 healthy children, comprising 110 boys and 62 girls, were studied. Eight sensory areas in the palmar surface of the hand were delineated. The ability to distinguish the static 2PD was estimated in millimeters by using disk discriminator. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results The mean static 2PD in the adult population ranged from 2.78 to 3.5 mm in the fingertips and 5.39 to 7.13 mm in the mid-palm. There was a statistically significant difference between men and women in zones 6, 7, and 8. In children, the observed 2PD values were 2.15 to 3.63 mm in the fingertips and 4.10 to 5.77 mm in the palm. Children have a significantly better 2PD sense when compared with adults. Conclusion The normal value of static 2PD in the palmar surface of the hand among the Indian pediatric and adult populations was established in the study.

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.