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Normative growth standard for upper arm measurements for exclusively breastfed infants
1Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
Insights
This study developed a normogram for upper arm measurements in exclusively breastfed infants. The new tool is clinically useful for evaluating infant growth and development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Growth Monitoring
Background:
- Accurate growth assessment is crucial for exclusively breastfed infants.
- Existing growth charts may not be optimal for this specific population.
- Upper arm measurements offer a valuable anthropometric indicator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a normogram for upper arm measurements in exclusively breastfed infants.
- To assess the clinical utility of this novel normogram.
- To provide a reliable tool for monitoring infant growth.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design.
- Recruited 219 infants for normogram development and 100 for validation.
- Measured upper arm circumference (MAC) and correlated with postnatal age.
Main Results:
- Developed a normogram using regression analysis of MAC on postnatal age.
- Mean MAC increased progressively over the first six months.
- The normogram correctly identified normal growth in 92% of infants in the validation group.
Conclusions:
- The developed upper arm measurement normogram is clinically useful.
- It serves as a valuable tool for evaluating exclusively breastfed infants.
- Supports evidence-based infant nutrition and growth monitoring.
Objective:
To develop a normogram for upper arm measurements for the evaluation of exclusively breastfed infants and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the normogram.
Design:
A prospective study involving the evaluation of infants discharged from the Newborn Unit and follow-up for the first six months of life while being exclusively breastfed.
Setting:
Neonatal follow up Clinic, University Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria from 1st June, 1995 to 31st May, 1997.
Subjects:
A total of 219 exclusively breastfed infants were recruited and analysed for the development of the normogram. A second group of 100 normal exclusively breastfed infants were evaluated to determine the clinical usefulness of the normogram.
Interventions:
Determination of the upper arm measurement of the infants and development of the normogram using the statistics of the regression analysis of these measurements on postnatal age.
Main Outcome Measures:
Upper arm measurements, mean measurements at each completed month, regression statistics (MAC on postnatal age).
Results:
Mean MAC measurements increased progressively from the first to the sixth completed months. There was a significant difference between the mean measurements at the 4th and 6th completed months. Upper arm measurements showed a highly significant correlation with postnatal age and the regression line and the 95% confidence limits were used to develop the normogram. Of the 100 infants in the second group, 92% had normal infant growth using the normogram.
Conclusion:
The developed normogram of upper arm measurements was evaluated to be clinically useful in exclusively breastfed infants.