Chest and mid-arm circumferences: identification of low birth weight newborns in Turkey

The present study was performed to find out which anthropometric measurement(s) could efficiently be substituted for weight to detect neonates with low birth weight at birth. A total of 874 neonates, between 32 and 43 weeks of gestational age were measured within 24 h of birth to interpret the validity of anthropometric measurements. Low birth weight was observed in 10 per cent of the neonates. The study showed a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between chest circumference, mid-arm circumference, head circumference, length, and birth weight. However, the correlation was maximum for chest circumference (r = 0.855) and mid-arm circumference (r = 0.791). A chest circumference of < 30 cm and a mid-arm circumference of < 9 cm had the best sensitivity and specificity for identifying neonates with a birth weight of < 2500 g. Chest circumference and/or mid-arm circumference can be used as simple and reliable indicators for predicting low birth weight whenever weighing of newborns is not feasible.