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Fetal age estimation using MSCT scans of deciduous tooth germs

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Abstract

Evaluation of fetal age is an essential element in many fields such as anthropology, odontology, paleopathology, and forensic sciences. This study examines the correlation between fetal age, femoral diaphyseal length (considered as the gold standard), and deciduous tooth germs of fetuses aged 22 to 40 weeks amenorrhea (WA) based on computed tomography (MSCT) reconstructions. Qualitative and quantitative studies of femoral and deciduous tooth germ lengths were performed on 81 fetuses (39 females and 42 males). R software was used for statistical analyses. Intra-observer and inter-observer variabilities and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. Correlation coefficients (R 2) and linear regression equations were calculated. Intra- and inter-observer variabilities were very satisfactory (intra-observer ICC ≥ 0.96, inter-observer ICC ≥ 0.95). Femoral length was significantly correlated with age (R 2 = 0.9). The correlation coefficient between age and height, width, and dental volume was R 2 ≥ 0.73. Tooth germs were good indicators of fetal age. Our method appears to be reliable and reproducible, and the results of this study agreed with those of the literature. The dental formula provided a precise estimation of fetal age between 25 and 32 WA. Tooth germs were reliable indicators of fetal age, and multislice computed tomography was shown to be an innovative and reliable technology for this purpose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, AMIS, UMR 5288 CNRS, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Toulouse III, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31073, Toulouse, France

    Marie Minier, Delphine Maret, Fabrice Dedouit, Marion Vergnault, Fathima-Zohra Mokrane, Norbert Telmon & Daniel Rougé

  2. Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, CHU Toulouse, 3 Chemin des Maraîchers, 31062, Toulouse, France

    Delphine Maret

  3. Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 500032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France

    Marie Minier, Fabrice Dedouit, Marion Vergnault, Norbert Telmon & Daniel Rougé

  4. Service de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France

    Fabrice Dedouit, Fathima-Zohra Mokrane & Hervé Rousseau

  5. Anthropologie Bioculturelle, Université de la Méditerranée, UMR 6578 CNRS-EFS, Faculté de Médecine Nord, 51 Boulevard Pierre Dramard, 13916, Marseille, France

    Pascal Adalian

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  1. Marie Minier
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  2. Delphine Maret
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  3. Fabrice Dedouit
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  4. Marion Vergnault
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  5. Fathima-Zohra Mokrane
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  6. Hervé Rousseau
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  7. Pascal Adalian
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  8. Norbert Telmon
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  9. Daniel Rougé
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Correspondence to Marie Minier.

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Minier, M., Maret, D., Dedouit, F. et al. Fetal age estimation using MSCT scans of deciduous tooth germs. Int J Legal Med 128, 177–182 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0890-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0890-z

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