Normal neonatal biometry in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia

Low birthweight does not always imply intrauterine growth retardation and other methods, including the ponderal index (PI), have been employed in its identification. Previous research has demonstrated that a low PI is associated with adverse neonatal outcome. The purpose of this study was to establish normal neonatal biometry for an Arab population and to determine the relationship between PI nad both gestation and birthweight. This is a prospective cross-sectional study carried out in the postnatal wards of the North West Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Three hundred and eighty babies who were delivered between 37 and 42 weeks' gestation following uncomplicated pregnancy were recruited. All patients were managed according to established local practice. The mean birthweight of the study population is lower than that found by comparable studies. There was a strong positive correlation between the PI and birthweight and gestation and the lines describing the regression were significant (P < 0.0001, P = 0.00002 respectively). This study was that the PI depends on gestation and birthweight and these other factors must be taken into account when determining neonatal risk.