Evaluation of pattern of skeletal maturity of pelvic girdle bone among 8-19 years children and adolescent with known chronological age using X-ray

Abstract

Abstract Background: Age, Sex and Stature constitutes the three primary characteristics of identification .Age -refers to the length of time that a person has lived or thing has existed. It is a very important task assigned to forensic experts particularly in legal matters where criminal responsibility has to be considered to impose punishment or to grant privileges of civil rights according to the age group of the claimant. Bones constantly undergo changes and those changes that occur in the skeleton would follow a chronological pattern .The pelvic girdle has different ossification centers. From these centers, ossification progresses till the bone is completely formed. Radiological study was carried out with the objective to assess the general skeletal maturity around pelvic girdle age group of 8-19 years were selected , subjects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The cases were selected after ruling out the nutritional, developmental, and endocrinal abnormality which affects the skeletal growth. Objective To establish standards based on pattern of skeletal maturity pelvic girdle bones by using X- ray among 8-19 years old children and adolescent Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods and materials The study was conducted from September 1, 2023; to November30, 2023 in the department of FMT, SPHMMC A.A Ethiopia 150 subjects were selected by non-probability convenience sampling from various A.A schools. Data was collected and coded by using SPSS23 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics demonstrating the percentiles, means and standard deviations were calculated according to stage of fusion among age and sex of study participants. Chi-square test of independence was used to see association between categorical variables. Independent sample t-test was used to see difference in skeletal maturity of pelvic girdle between Male and Female study participants. Data will be presented by using graphs, charts and tables. Result: A total of 150 study participants (94 Male and 56 Female) were included to study appearance and fusion of iliac crest, femoral head, ischia tuberosity, and ischia-pubic ramus, greater and lesser trochanter. The study was conducted by department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study participants were taken from two schools, date of birth was confirmed from their birth certificate. Iliac crest: All cases in the age range 8-11years ossification center for iliac crest did not appear. Majority of cases ossification center for iliac crest appear age group of 15 – 16 years for male and age group of 14 – 15 years for female. Complete fusion started to seen at age range of 17-18years in female and 18-19 years males respectively. Ischia tuberosity: Ossification center for ischia-tuberosity appearance in age group of 16–17 years in male and in age group of 14 –15 years respectively. Majority of the male study participants complete fusion in the age range of 18-19 years. Majority of female cases are in complete fusion in the age of 18-19 years. Femoral head: In age range of 11-12 years all cases of female showed partial fusion. All male subjects at age range of 9-14 years showed partial fusion. All cases showed complete fusion in age range of 17-18 years. Tri-radiate cartilage: Majority of the female cases in age group of 8-11 years tri-radiate cartilage partial fusion. In majority of female cases complete fusion in age range of 12-13 years. In majority of male cases complete fusion in age range of 15-16 years. All cases in the age of 16-17 years complete fusion. Greater trochanter: In majority of males complete fusion seen in the age group of 16-17 years. All males showed complete fusion at age range of 17-18 years. Complete fusion started to seen age range of 14-15 years for female cases. All females showed complete fusion at age group of 16-18 years. All cases complete fused age range of 17-18 years. Lesser trochanter: In all male cases age group of 12-13 years ossification center for lesser trochanter appeared. In female cases age group of 11-12 years ossification center for lesser trochanter appeared. All male cases complete fusion in age group of 17-18 years. All female cases complete fusion in age group of 16-18 years. All cases complete fusion at age group of 18-19 years. Ischia-pubic ramus: Majority of male cases in age group of 9-16 years complete fusion. Complete fusion in majority of female cases in the age group of 8-15 years. All female cases complete fusion age of 16-17 years. All cases complete fused at age range of 16-17 years. Conclusion: From the present study we can conclude that the earliest appearance of epiphyseal iliac crest observed in both sex between 12–13 years. Latest appearance of epiphyseal iliac crest observed at age range of 16--17 year and age range of 14-15years in male and female respectively. Complete fusion started to seen at age range of 17-18years in both sexes. The ossification center for ischia-tuberosity observed at age range of 12–13 years in males and at age range of 14-15 years in females whereas complete fusion seen in age range of 14-15 years for females and 17-18 years for males. The complete fusion of femoral head occurs in the age of 15 to 16 years in females and 16 to 17 years in males. The complete fusion of greater trochanter occurs in the age of 14 to 15 years in females and 16 to 17 years in males. The ossification center for lesser trochanter appear in age range of 11-12 years in females and age range of 12-13 years in males whereas complete fusion at age range 12-13years in females and at age range of 16-17years in males. In observation from present study all ossification and fusion in cases of female early than male cases. Key Words: Age estimation, Fusion, pelvis girdle bone, Radiographs