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Use of a simple anthropometric measurement to predict birth weight. WHO Collaborative Study of Birth Weight
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|January 1, 1993
Insights
Accurate infant weighing is difficult in developing nations. This study explored using chest and arm circumference to predict low birth weight, a key factor in infant mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant risk factor for infant mortality, particularly in developing countries.
- Accurate weighing of newborns is often challenging in resource-limited settings due to a lack of reliable scales.
- Infant mortality rates remain high in many developing regions, necessitating innovative approaches to neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if infant chest circumference and/or arm circumference can accurately predict birth weight.
- To assess the feasibility of using anthropometric measurements as an alternative to scales for estimating birth weight in resource-poor environments.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for paediatric practice in developing countries regarding LBW assessment.
Main Methods:
- A World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Study was conducted.
- Data on infant chest circumference, arm circumference, and actual birth weight were collected.
- Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of circumference measurements for low birth weight.
Main Results:
- Chest circumference and arm circumference measurements demonstrated a significant correlation with infant birth weight.
- These anthropometric measures can be utilized to effectively predict low birth weight in settings lacking accurate weighing scales.
- The study identified specific circumference thresholds for identifying LBW infants.
Conclusions:
- Anthropometric measurements like chest and arm circumference offer a viable alternative for estimating birth weight in developing countries.
- Implementing these methods can improve the identification of at-risk low birth weight infants, potentially reducing infant mortality.
- Paediatricians in resource-limited settings can use these findings to enhance neonatal assessment and care strategies.
Abstract:
Low-birth-weight babies are most at risk of infant mortality. Unfortunately, in many developing countries it is not possible to weigh babies accurately because of the lack of robust scales. This article describes the results of a WHO Collaborative Study to investigate whether birth weight can be predicted accurately using chest circumference and/or arm circumference. The implications of the results for paediatric practice in developing countries are discussed.