Development of Pubic Symphysis - A morphometric Study in Foetuses

Background: Pelvic dimensions display considerable individual, sexual and racial differences. Fetal pelvis has been utilized for sex determination as well as for prediction of congenital anomalies such as Down’s syndrome. Congenital anomalies diagnosed during intrauterine life are sometimes very useful especially if it could be corrected because such crucial step will lead to normal development of fetuses. Many congenital abnormalities might directly involve the pubic symphyseal region. Developmental details and morphometric measurements of this joint in fetuses remain unknown or poorly documented. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of anatomy J.N. Medical College. A.M.U. Aligarh, on 41 human foetuses, which were divided into five groups according to the gestational age. Group I comprises foetuses of 14–18 weeks, group II 19–22 weeks, group III 23–26 weeks, group IV 27–30 weeks and group V more than 30 weeks. Vertical height and antero-posterior thickness of the isolated pubic symphysis was measured. Different dimensions of pubic symphysis. Pattern of growth of pubic symphysis were compared with gestational age. Results: Anterior and posterior vertical height and thickness of pubic symphysis at all the three levels i.e. upper, middle and lower grew constantly throughout intrauterine life. Different measurements of pubic symphysis showed variable growth rates in different groups of foetuses. Conclusion: The present morphometrical study on foetuses gives baseline dimensions of the symphysis at different gestational age, which can hint towards one of the many congenital anomalies afflicting it.