The Hong Kong Chinese Female Bony Pelvis and Its Influence on Labour

Biometry of the pubovisceral muscle and levator hiatus in nulliparous Chinese women

“…the levator hiatus in the plane of minimum hiatal dimension. The lower incidence of pelvic organ prolapse3, 7 in Chinese women, on the other hand, may be because of differences in the bony pelvis8, the shape of the hiatus, the thickness of the levator muscle and connective tissue elasticity and density7. Anatomically, the levator ani muscle is composed of two portions, the lateral supportive iliococcygeus and the central sphincteric puborectalis and pubococcygeus (or pubovisceral muscles)18, 20.…”

“…Because genital prolapse occurs commonly in multiparous women, vaginal childbirth is assumed to be the most significant factor contributing to pelvic floor relaxation and pelvic floor dysfunction1, 2. However, ethnicity has also been suggested as a factor1–6, with reports that Asian women are less likely to have pelvic organ prolapse than are Caucasian women4, 7, 8. In a study of over 1000 women, more than 80% of Chinese women had a gynecoid pelvis, compared with 50% of Caucasian women8.…”

“…However, ethnicity has also been suggested as a factor1–6, with reports that Asian women are less likely to have pelvic organ prolapse than are Caucasian women4, 7, 8. In a study of over 1000 women, more than 80% of Chinese women had a gynecoid pelvis, compared with 50% of Caucasian women8. A gynecoid pelvis is considered better for vaginal delivery because of its spacious inlet, large interspinous diameter, and wide subpubic arch9.…”

Determinants of Birth‐weight in the New Territories of Hong Kong

“…Birth-weights in Hong Kong may be of interest for a number of reasons. Chun et a1 (6) reported that Chinese babies in Hong Kong are smaller than European ones. Chalmers (7), however, reported that the birth-weight distribution amongst Chinese babies in Shanghai showed a deficiency of very low birthweights compared to European populations.…”

Intrauterine Growth in Hong Kong Chinese

“…It can be seen that the mean birth weight and 50th percentile at 40 weeks in group II were 3,130 and 3,115 g, respectively. The only data from Hong Kong available for comparison is that from Chun et al (7). In 1955 to 1956, they obtained the mean birth weights of 1,005 full-term babies delivered at the Tsan Yuk Hospital.…”