Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Assessment of growth from foot length in Taiwanese neonates
Tsyr-Yuh Ho1, Shan-Fu Ou, Shih-Hui Huang
1Department of Pediatrics, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Insights
Foot length (FL) in Taiwanese neonates correlates with birth weight, length, and head circumference. However, FL is not a reliable predictor for these key anthropometric indices.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal anthropometry
- Biometrics
- Pediatric research
Background:
- Previous research indicates a positive correlation between foot length (FL) and birth body weight (BBW), birth body length (BBL), and head circumference (HC).
- Limited data exists on birth FL specifically within the Taiwanese population.
- This study addresses the need for data on birth FL in Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the measurement of foot length (FL) in Taiwanese neonates.
- To assess FL as a potential method for estimating other anthropometric indices in newborns.
- To establish normative data for birth FL in Taiwan.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 256 neonates born between 2003-2005.
- Exclusion criteria included ill newborns, small-for-gestational-age infants, and those with poor birth footprints.
- Linear regression analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to analyze the relationship between FL and other anthropometric measures.
Main Results:
- The study included 256 neonates (136 male, 120 female) with a mean gestational age of 38.5 weeks.
- Significant correlations were found between FL and BBW (r=0.421), BBL (r=0.305), and HC (r=0.423) (p<0.001 for all).
- Foot length demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.965).
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between neonatal foot length and birth body weight, birth body length, and head circumference in Taiwanese infants.
- Despite significant correlations, foot length was found to be a weak predictor (r<0.5) for estimating these anthropometric indices.
- Further research may be needed to explore the clinical utility of foot length in neonatal assessment.
Background:
Previous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between foot length (FL) and birth body weight (BBW), birth body length (BBL), and head circumference (HC). However, there is no data on birth FL in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate FL measurement in Taiwanese neonates as a method of estimating other anthropometric indices.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, we enrolled 256 babies born at our hospital and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital from 2003-2005. Medical records were reviewed for sex, BBW, BBL, HC, gestational age, and birth FL. Ill newborns, small-for-gestational-age babies, or those with poor birth footprints were excluded. FL at birth was measured from the center of the back of the heel to the tip of the big toe. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relation of FL to BBW and BBL. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess inter-rater reliability.
Results:
A total of 256 babies were reviewed. There were 136 male and 120 female neonates. The gestational age was 38.5+/-1.3 (mean+/-standard deviation) weeks, ranging from 35-42 weeks. The BBW was 3137+/-396g. The BBL was 51.1+/-2.1 cm. The HC was 33.5+/-1.7 cm. The FL was 7.4+/-0.46 cm. The regression equation for BBW (y) on FL (x) was as follows: y=486.2+360.4x (p<0.001, r=0.421). The regression equation for BBL (y) on FL (x) was as follows: y=40.1+1.45x (p<0.001, r= 0.305). The regression equation for HC (y) on FL (x) was as follows: y=14.8+2.53x (p<0.001, r=0.423). FL showed excellent reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.965 (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated a significant degree of correlation between FL and BBW, BBL and HC. However, it did not reliably estimate BBW, BBL, or HC-the three anthropometric indices were weakly correlated (r<0.5) with FL.
