Swedish metacarpophalangeal standards compared with previously published norms

Abstract

Purpose: Metacarpophalangeal lengths are used to create pattern profiles that are useful for assessment of skeletal dysplasias and malformation syndromes. The purpose of this study was to establish Swedish standards and compare them with previously published norms.

Material and Methods: A group of healthy Swedish children was followed longitudinally from the age of 1 month to 18 years. The length of the tubular bones of the hand was measured on radiographs. In addition to the conventional measurements including epiphyses, diaphyseal lengths alone were recorded.

Results: Means and standard deviations of the metacarpophalangeal lengths are presented by gender and age.

Conclusion: In spite of reasonably good correlation to previously published norms, demonstrated deviations encourage us to recommend the use of local standards whenever available.