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[Predictive value of anthropometric parameters for birth weight]
K Wandja1, P J Hooft, H P van de Voorde
1Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Département de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Belgique.
A random series of 1,000 parturients in 2 maternity wards in Kinshasa in 1992 were studied. Several parameters affecting birthweight were measured. The predictive value of the Quetelet index, determined by Spearman correlation, was greater than the predictive value of skin folds, brachial circumference, adipose and muscular surfaces or fat mass and was slightly better than lean mass. Anthropometric measurements have certain inconvenience and other factors affect birthweight. These results suggest that the Quetelet index is a sufficiently precise tool for evaluating nutritional state. In addition, its use would allow more time for patient counselling. The longer doctor-patient dialogue could have an effect on prevention in the area of psycho-social stress. This latter factor, combined with the cumulated stress score, was found to be one of the 3 main factors in multiple linear regression evaluation of birthweights reported here.
A random series of 1,000 parturients in 2 maternity wards in Kinshasa in 1992 were studied. Several parameters affecting birthweight were measured. The predictive value of the Quetelet index, determined by Spearman correlation, was greater than the predictive value of skin folds, brachial circumference, adipose and muscular surfaces or fat mass and was slightly better than lean mass. Anthropometric measurements have certain inconvenience and other factors affect birthweight. These results suggest that the Quetelet index is a sufficiently precise tool for evaluating nutritional state. In addition, its use would allow more time for patient counselling. The longer doctor-patient dialogue could have an effect on prevention in the area of psycho-social stress. This latter factor, combined with the cumulated stress score, was found to be one of the 3 main factors in multiple linear regression evaluation of birthweights reported here.