title: Predicting height from arm measurements.
abstract: Height measurement is required to standardize measures of physical capacity (e.g., pulmonary function) and to adjust drug dosage in the physically disabled. To estimate height in wheelchair-bound patients, we examined the relation of four different upper extremity measurements to height in 119 normal individuals aged 0.5-56 years. Regression analysis was performed for each of the following: (a) interacromioclavicular distance, (b) upper arm, (c) lower arm (cubit), (d) arm span; with height. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.937, 0.967, 0.975, and 0.989, respectively, were obtained (accuracy +/- 5%, 90% confidence interval, for upper and lower arm measurements). We conclude that height can be predicted reliably from arm measurements.
authors.affiliation: Montreal Back Institute, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Jarzem
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gledhill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis