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Ponderal index of low birth weight babies--a hospital based study
Dure Samin Akram1, Fehmina Arif
1Department of Paediatrics, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi.
Objective:
To determine the ratio of disproportionate versus proportionate Intra uterine growth retardation among low birth weight babies using the Ponderal index.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study. Medical records of babies with weight < 2.5kg delivered in the Obstetric Department were reviewed. The ponderal index was calculated to determine disproportionate and proportionate intra uterine growth retardation among low birth weight babies.
Results:
A total of 227 babies were included. Male and Female ratio was equal. Sixty seven percent were delivered vaginally. Only 12 mothers (5.3%) had a history of maternal illness. Eighty nine low birth weight babies (39.9%) had a low ponderal index. Ponderal index in fullterm babies was < 2.2 in 54.3% and in pre-term < 2.0 in 34.9%.
Conclusion:
Nearly 40% of low birth weight babies had disproportionate body proportions. This group of babies according to foetal origins of diseases may be predisposed to Diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease.
