Associations between pelvic anatomy, height and year of birth of men and women in Belfast.

Standardized radiological pelvimetry was used to examine 242 male and 314 female adults attending the out-patient departments of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Seven indices of pelvic size and shape were measured from X-rays on each individual together with social and biological factors including age, height and year of birth. The aims were to quantify any differences in pelvic anatomy between the sexes and to measure correlations between these pelvic indices and selected biosocial factors. Pelvic indices for men and women of similar stature were significantly different, with the exception of the brim index, and these anatomical changes were correlated with year of birth. The similarity of the findings in both sexes suggests common environmental factors such as nutrition are the most likely causes, rather than factors specifically associated with pregnancy and childbirth.