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Update of growth percentiles for infants born in an Australian population
1Mercy Hospital for Women, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Newborn growth charts need regular updates due to population changes. This study found that infant sex and maternal ethnicity, specifically South-East Asian origin, impact birth weight percentiles, requiring localized standards.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Growth Standards
- Public Health
Background:
- Established growth percentiles necessitate periodic revision to reflect evolving population demographics and socioeconomic influences.
- Accurate anthropometric data is crucial for monitoring infant health and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive updated birth-weight percentiles for newborns, considering infant sex and maternal ethnicity.
- To compare new growth data with existing intrauterine growth curves.
- To highlight the need for localized growth standards.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of anthropometric measurements from 49,429 singleton livebirths (1980-1989) at Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne.
- Derivation of birth-weight percentiles for the general study group, separately for males and females, and for infants of South-East Asian mothers.
- Preparation of percentile charts for length, head circumference, and ponderal index.
Main Results:
- Generally elevated birth-weight percentiles compared to previous intrauterine growth curves.
- Male infants exhibited larger birth weights than female infants.
- Infants of South-East Asian mothers were smaller on average, though 10th percentile birth weights showed similarity from 36-39 weeks gestation.
Conclusions:
- Local newborn growth standards require periodic review and updating.
- Infant sex and maternal ethnic origin are significant factors influencing birth weight and growth characteristics.
- Consideration of these factors is essential for accurate categorization of newborn growth.
Abstract:
Growth percentiles require periodic revision because of changes in the ethnic mix of a population and socioeconomic factors. Anthropometric measurements were derived from singleton livebirths, without lethal malformations, from 22 completed weeks' gestation, at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, from 1980 to 1989 (49,429 infants). Infants were included if reasonable assessment of gestation was available. Birth-weight percentiles were derived for the study group, male and female infants separately and for infants whose mothers were born in South-East Asia (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). Percentile charts for length, head circumference and ponderal index were also prepared. When compared with the intrauterine birth-weight growth curves reported by Kitchen et al (4) there was generally an elevation of all percentiles. Male infants were larger than female infants. Infants delivered by mothers born in South-East Asia were smaller than the study group as a whole, although the 10th percentiles for birth-weight were similar to the study group especially from 36-39 weeks' gestation. Periodic review of local standards is required to correctly categorize newborn infants' growth characteristics; factors such as sex of the infant and ethnic origin of the mother should be considered.