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Birth anthropometry from a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka: Differs from the WHO growth standards

Marianne Nishani Lucas1, Pulani Lanerolle2, Upul Senarath3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Email: nishani@pdt.cmb.ac.lk, nishrockpoly@gmail.com.

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|December 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

WHO growth references may underestimate infant growth in Sri Lanka. Birth weight, length, and head circumference were significantly lower in Sri Lankan babies compared to WHO data, indicating a need for localized growth assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Anthropometry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant nutritional status assessment relies on WHO growth references.
  • The Multicenter Growth Reference Study (MGRS) forms the basis for these references.
  • Sri Lanka utilizes WHO growth references for infant assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Compare birth anthropometric data of healthy Sri Lankan infants with WHO MGRS data.
  • Evaluate the suitability of WHO MGRS birth data for growth assessment in Sri Lanka.
  • Identify potential discrepancies in infant growth assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal infant body composition study (2015-2019).
  • Recruited healthy, singleton, term-born infants from non-smoking mothers (>18 years).
  • Collected birth anthropometric data (weight, length, head circumference).

Main Results:

  • Sri Lankan infants (n=337) had significantly lower mean birth weight (2.9±0.4 kg), length (48.2±2.7 cm), and head circumference (33.6±1.2 cm) than WHO data.
  • A left shift in z-score distribution was observed.
  • Lower maternal and paternal height, and lower socioeconomic status were noted in the study population.

Conclusions:

  • WHO birth parameters are significantly higher than observed in healthy Sri Lankan infants.
  • WHO growth references may underestimate the growth of healthy babies in Sri Lanka.
  • Localized growth references may be necessary for accurate infant assessment in this population.
Abstract

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