Analysis of foci of ossification of the diaphysis of the humerus in fetuses of 20-32 weeks of gestation
Authors:   Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Koval O.A. , Khmara T.V. ,   Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Zamorskii I.I. ,   Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Biryuk I.G. ,   Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Kovalchuk P.Ye. ,   Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Published: December 2024

Nowadays, the assessment of the length of the femur and humerus is preferred, which plays a key role in doubtful cases to determine the age of the fetus in the second or third trimester of intrauterine development.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of ossification of the right and left humeral diaphysis in fetuses at 20-32 weeks of gestation for assessing the age of the fetus.
Materials and methods. Plain radiographs and computed tomography scans of 52 human fetuses at 20-32 weeks of gestation were analyzed to determine the characteristics of humeral ossification in human fetuses. The results of the study were statistically analyzed using Excel. The results are presented as statistical means with standard deviations. Student's t-test for independent variables and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare means.
Results. In fetuses of 20-32 weeks of gestation, the average length of ossification of the right humerus increases from 21.26±0.50 mm to 40.04±0.24 mm, and the left humerus - from 21.64±0.23 mm to 40.52±0.05 mm.
The analysis of the proximal transverse diameter of the diaphysis of the right humerus showed that in fetuses aged 20-32 weeks, this indicator increases from 3.50±0.08 mm to 6.59±0.04 mm (for the right humerus) and from 3.56±0.04 mm to 6.67±0.01 mm (for the left humerus). The cross-sectional diameter of the middle part of the diaphysis of the right humerus increases from 2.67±0.06 mm to 5.02±0.03 mm, and that of the left humerus from 2.71±0.03 mm to 5.08±0.01 mm. The transverse diameter of the distal part of the diaphysis of the right humerus increased from 3.25±0.08 mm to 6.16±0.04 mm, and the left humerus - from 3.33±0.04 mm to 6.24±0.01 mm.
Conclusions. Based on the correlation coefficient, which indicates the presence of a strong direct correlation, we can conclude that linear regression models adequately describe the dependence of the length of ossification of the humeral diaphysis, proximal transverse, middle and distal transverse diameters of the humerus on fetal age. In human fetuses aged 20-32 weeks of gestation, no sex differences were found in the morphometric parameters of the humeral ossification foci. The obtained morphometric data of the foci of ossification of the diaphysis of the humerus can be considered as normative for the corresponding weeks of gestation and can be used for the assessment of the age of the fetus and for the ultrasound diagnosis of congenital malformations.
The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies.
No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.