The current pattern of gestational age-related anthropometric parameters of term Nigerian neonates

Background. Weight and length at birth reflect the quality of intra-uterine growth and exert a strong influence on postnatal survival. Objective. To determine the current range of anthropometric measurements of term Nigerian neonates. Methods. Consecutive term singleton mother-baby pairs were survey...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:SAJCH : the South African journal of child health 2013-09, Vol.7 (3), p.100
Main Authors: Oluwafemi, O, Njokanma, F, Disu, E, Ogunlesi, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropometry
Body size
Forecasts and trends
Gestational age
Health aspects
Infants (Newborn)
Physiological aspects
Surveys
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Summary:Background. Weight and length at birth reflect the quality of intra-uterine growth and exert a strong influence on postnatal survival. Objective. To determine the current range of anthropometric measurements of term Nigerian neonates. Methods. Consecutive term singleton mother-baby pairs were surveyed in the first 24 hours after birth. Weight, length, occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) and ponderal index were determined. Results. A total of 825 babies (440 males and 385 females) were studied. The overall mean birth weight ([+ or -] standard deviation (SD)) of the study subjects was 3 233 [+ or -] 539 g, the mean [+ or -] SD length 49.0 [+ or -] 2.5 cm, the mean [+ or -]SD OFC 34.6 [+ or -] 1.4 cm, and the mean [+ or -]SD ponderal index 2.7 [+ or -] 0.4 g/[cm.sup.3]. Conclusion. The anthropometric parameters of the Nigerian infants studied were within the range previously reported for Africa and other developing countries, but lower than figures from some developed countries. S Afr J CH 2013;7(3):100-104.DOI:10.7196/SAJCH.490
ISSN:1994-3032
1999-7671
DOI:10.7196/SAJCH.490