Chest circumference as a screening method for low birth weight in newborns in rural Tanzania

This study examines the value of head-, chest- and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and crown-to-coccyx length as a screening method for low birth weight. Results are presented of 2,710 consecutive live births, excluding infants with severe congenital abnormalities. Chest circumference (r = 0.84) and MUAC (r = 0.79) correlated best with birth weight. Variance in birth weight was explained by chest circumference in 70%, while a model including all variables accounted for 79%. At a cut-off level of 30.0 cm for chest circumference, detection rate for birth weight below 2,500 g and 2,000 g was 67% and 96%, respectively, while false-positive rate was 3 and 10%. At a cut-off level of 9.0 cm for MUAC, detection rate for birth weight below 2,500 and 2,000 g was 72% and 95%, respectively, while false-positive rate was 8% and 15%. Chest circumference is recommended as the first stage screening method of choice for LBW, when no weighing scale is available.