The Estimation of Foetal Maturity

Factors influencing development of secondary ossification centres in the fetus and newborn: A postmortem radiological study

“…There were some differences in the extent of ossification in the paired cases available in the present study. Similar features have also been reported by Cope and Murdoch (1958), who found a wide variation in centre development in twin pairs, more advanced in the female than the male and in the heavier than the lighter twin.…”

Human Growth

“…This tendency was more marked in the older fetuses. Perhaps the most convincing evidence is that shown by Cope and Murdoch (1958), who found that in different gender twins sharing the same gestation period, the female at term was more advanced than the male. Female advancement in ossification has been confirmed by several other workers, including Menees andHolly (1932) Hill (1939), Dunham et al (1939), Christie et al (1941 O'Rahilly and and Bagnall et al (1982a).…”

Assessment of Gestational Age of Nigerian Newborns Using Teeth Calcification

“…T h e pattern of epiphyseal mineralization is affected by many intrauterine factors. Thus, toxemia (5), fetal malnutrition (9) and multiple pregnancy (1) have been known to retard epiphyseal ossification at the knee. Erroneous results may then be obtained if the pattern of ossification in the knee is used in the roentgenologic estimation of gestational age.…”