Electrophysiological studies in newborns with reference to gestation and anthropometry

Fourteen full term appropriate for gestational age (FT-AGA) and 11 preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) newborns and their mothers constituted study subjects. The mothers were subjected to hemoglobin and serum albumin estimations. Offsprings were subjected to measurements of weight, crown heel length and head circumference along with motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and H-reflex latency (H-RL) at right median nerve. The MNCV was found to be significantly lower and H-RL significantly higher in PT-AGA babies compared to FT-AGA babies. The gestation, crown heel length of baby and maternal serum albumin status were found to be significant independent variables. Multiple regression equations have been derived using these parameters as determinative variables. These equations explained much higher per cent variation than explained by simple regression equations.