Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Short Stature Screening by Accurate Length Measurement in Infants with a Birth Weight <9th Centile
Insights
Accurate birth length (BL) measurement for newborns with low birth weight (BW) can help identify infants needing further evaluation for short stature. This targeted approach aids in detecting potential growth issues early.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neonatal Growth Assessment
- Public Health Screening
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a key indication for growth hormone therapy.
- Accurate birth length (BL) is crucial for assessing the impact of birth size on childhood short stature.
- Current methods for measuring BL are often imprecise or omitted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of precise, targeted birth length (BL) and parental height (PH) measurements in neonates with birth weight (BW) at or below the 9th centile.
- To identify newborns who are short (BL ≤-2 standard deviation scores [SDS]) and/or light (BW ≤-2 SDS).
- To reassess short neonates at 2 years to detect those failing to achieve catch-up growth.
Main Methods:
- A single-center study collected data on all live births (n = 3,798) over one year.
- Focus was placed on neonates with a birth weight (BW) ≤9th centile.
- Follow-up measurements at 2 years were conducted for eligible infants.
Main Results:
- Of 3,798 births, 481 (12.7%) had BW ≤9th centile.
- Among these, 46 were short, 47 were light but not short, and 60 were both light and short.
- At 2-year follow-up (57/107 infants), 6 (11%) showed failure of catch-up growth, with only one previously known to medical services. Parental height (PH) was measured in 34% of eligible infants.
Conclusions:
- Targeted and accurate birth length (BL) measurement in newborns with low birth weight (BW ≤9th centile) is a viable alternative to current practices.
- This method aids in identifying infants at risk for persistent short stature.
- The feasibility of measuring parental height (PH) post-birth requires further investigation.
Background/Aims:
Intrauterine growth restriction is an indication for growth hormone treatment. Birth length (BL) is needed to evaluate the influence of birth size on childhood short stature. However, BL is commonly measured only approximately, if at all. A single-centre study was undertaken to determine the value of measuring accurate and targeted BL and parental height (PH) for neonates with a birth weight (BW) ≤9th centile, identifying short [BL ≤-2 standard deviation scores (SDS)] and light newborns (BW ≤-2 SDS), and remeasuring short neonates at 2 years in order to detect those not showing catch-up growth.
Methods:
Information was collected on all live births (n = 3,798) in a single maternity unit during a 1-year period.
Results:
BW was ≤9th centile in 481 neonates (12.7%) of whom 47 were light but not short, 46 were short, and 60 were both light and short. Of 107 eligible infants, 57 (53%) attended the 2-year follow-up; failure of catch-up growth was identified in 6 infants (11%) of whom only 1 was already known to medical services. PH was measured in both parents of 52/153 (34%) light and/or short infants.
Conclusion:
Targeted and accurate BL measurement in newborns with a BW ≤9th centile is a promising alternative to the current practices. The feasibility of PH measurement after birth still requires further evaluation.
