title: Radiological Mean Age of Fusion of Medial End of the Clavicle: AParameter of Age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the mean age of fusion of medial end of clavicle by radiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Departments of Forensic Medicine, Dow Medical College and Ziauddin University, Karachi, from June 2010 to May 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects for this study were selected from various government colleges of Karachi. The subjects were analyzed for age and further confirmation was done by interviews where birth records and other physical parameters of age were also assessed. X-rays chest PA view was taken focusing on the medial end of clavicle; and were examined by a consultant radiologist and complete fusion of the medial end was noted. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of fusion of medial end of the clavicle was found to be 21 ±1.43 years. Significant difference was observed in male to female age of fusion 21.14 ±1.41 years versus 20.65 ±1.94 years (p > 0.05). Similarly, statistically significant differences were observed between lower to middle income class and higher income class of all society. No difference was observed among various ethnic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Socio-economic factors, such as diet and nutrition, directly affect bone growth and hence bones' age. The results of fusion of the medial end of the clavicle are not affected by ethnicity; however, it is significantly affected by gender. More studies should be conducted in various parts of the country to make a natural standard in setting up uniform criteria for assessing age at or above 21 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Ziauddin University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Qudsia
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Dow International Medical College, Karachi.
authors.forename: M Umer
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.affiliation: Dean Basic Medical Sciences, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar.
authors.forename: Inayat-Ur-Rehman
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Ziauddin University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Tehreem
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Ziauddin University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Muhammad Mustafa
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Ziauddin University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Ali Shan
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Iqbal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011871:Radiology