Estimation of stature from hand and foot dimensions in Hausa neonates: A hospital-based study

Abstract

Stature (body height) is an important and useful anthropometric parameter for identification of an individual. The aim of the study is to find the correlation between Stature (Length) and measurements from hand and foot dimensions (Hand Length, Hand Breadth, Foot Length and Foot
Breadth). 501randomly selected Hausa neonates (zero to 28 days) were measured for each of the parameters. All the parameters showed to correlate with Stature at p < 0.01. Foot Length showed the highest correlation value of 0.75, while Foot Breadth had the least correlation value of 0.43. Hand Breadth and Hand Length also had correlation values of 0.62 and 0.60 respectively. Multiple linear regression equations were formed for each of the parameters. In conclusion, the study has provided regression equations that can be used to estimate stature in Hausa neonates of Kano State origin.

Key words: Stature, Hausa neonates, Hand and Foot dimensions.