Age estimation in Egyptian children by measurements of carpals and epiphyses of the ulna and radius

One of the most frequently used area for age estimation, in children and adolescents, is hand–wrist. This retrospective study of 257 Egyptian children and adolescents (142 boys and 115 girls), aged 4–18 years, used the ratio between the total area of carpal bones and epiphyses of the ulna and radius (Bo) and carpals (Ca) as age indicators. Age calculated, using a formula reported earlier for an Italian sample, resulted in a standard error of estimate of 1.96 years. The new regression model for the Egyptian population, describing age as a linear function of gender (g) and the ratio between carpal bones area and carpal area (Bo/Ca), yielded the following equation: Age=−0.998+18.708 (Bo/Ca)+1.724 g (Bo/Ca). This model explained 71% of total variance. The median of the absolute values of residuals (observed−predicted age) was −1.67 years, with a standard error of estimate of 1.85 years. It can be concluded that the Cameriere׳s method is not completely suitable for the Egyptian sample and a new modified formula was proposed.