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Use of body mass index for assessing the growth status of infants
Insights
Infant growth in Hyderabad slums showed increasing body mass index (BMI) until 4 months, stabilizing thereafter. Higher birth weight and height correlated with better infant growth outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Human Growth and Development
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Assessing infant growth is crucial for identifying nutritional deficiencies and developmental issues.
- Urban slum environments often present unique challenges to child health and nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the growth status of infants from birth to 12 months in an urban slum community.
- To analyze the relationship between birth weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) in infants.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal, semi-longitudinal, and cross-sectional study designs were employed.
- Infant weight and height were measured from birth to 12 months.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and analyzed in relation to growth indicators.
Main Results:
- Mean birth weight was 2.82 kg.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) increased progressively until the 4th month, then stabilized around a mean of 1.50.
- Children with higher birth weight (>2.5 kg) and height (≥90th percentile) exhibited better growth and BMI maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Infant growth patterns in this urban slum community show specific trends in BMI development.
- Birth weight and early height are significant predictors of sustained infant growth and nutritional status.
Abstract:
Growth status of infants measured by weight and height was assessed from birth to 12 months in a randomly selected community from the urban slums of Hyderabad City. Mean birth weight was 2.82 kg. Weight/height indicator of body mass index (BMI) showed a progressive increase till 4th month, followed by more or less a constant figure with a mean value of 1.50 in longitudinal, semi-longitudinal and cross sectional data till one year. Critical limit for BMI at birth for given weight of 2.5 kg was 1.20 and subsequently increased to 1.35. BMI was well correlated with weight and weight for height (%) and least correlated with height. Children with height of 90% or above and birth weight of above 2.5 kg were observed with better growth and better maintenance of weight for height (%) and BMI till 6 months.