Correlation between morphometry of fetal foot and gestational age: a cadaver study

Objectives: This study was conducted on a collection of fetal cadavers to describe the relationship between gestational age and foot parameters specifically in the Turkish population. Methods: The study involved 83 fetal cadavers (45 males, 38 females) ranging from 13 to 40 weeks of gestation, without external anomalies or pathologies. Various foot parameters were measured, including foot width (FW), heel width (HW), foot length (FL), heel-metatarsophalangeal fold (HMF), bimalleolar width (BW), foot dorsum length (FDL), ankle-metatarsophalangeal fold (AMF), malleolus medialis height (MMH), malleolus lateralis height (MLH), and finger length (FiL). These parameters were measured using a digital caliper with a precision of 0.01 mm. The fetuses were grouped by gestational month, and morphometric measurements were taken. Results: A strong and positive correlation was found between all foot parameters and gestational age (months). All parameters increased consistently throughout the fetal period. No significant differences were observed based on gender or side comparisons for any of the parameters. Linear regression equations were developed to estimate gestational age using fetal foot parameters. These parameters explained 72% to 90% of the variation in gestational age. Conclusion: Fetal foot length and related foot parameters can reliably be used to estimate gestational age. Due to the simplicity of these measurements, fetal foot parameters can be utilized to estimate age for babies born outside a hospital setting without the need for specialist equipment. Additionally, for premature babies receiving treatment in neonatal units, foot measurements offer a practical and easily accessible method for age estimation.