Estimation of Chronological Age from Different Body Segments in Boys and Girls Aged 4–19 Years, Using Anthropometric and Photogrammetric Techniques

Abstract

Data obtained from measuring different body segments (stature, sitting height, upper limb, upper arm, forearm, leg, hand and foot length), were used to construct equations for estimating the chronological age of children with unknown date of birth. About 18,510 sets of measurements were taken on boys and 11,568 sets on girls. All were healthy British children aged 4–19 years and participating in three longitudinal studies at the Department of Growth and Development, Institute of Child Health, University of London. Both anthropometric and photogrammetric techniques of measurement were used to construct 35 anthropometric and 49 photogrammetric equations using the multiple linear regression model. These equations give the most likely estimated value for age together with its error. The accuracy of the equations and its applicability both on live children and on postmortem material is discussed.