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Chest circumference as an indicator of intrauterine growth retardation
1Nutrition Department, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Chest circumference is the most reliable anthropometric measurement for identifying intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This simple, inexpensive method offers high sensitivity and specificity in assessing infant growth, aiding early diagnosis and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a significant concern in neonatal health.
- Accurate anthropometric measurements are crucial for identifying IUGR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various anthropometric measurements for identifying IUGR.
- To determine the most reliable and practical anthropometric indicator for IUGR assessment.
Main Methods:
- Studied 356 IUGR and 356 appropriate birth weight (ABW) infants.
- Assessed correlations between birth weight and multiple anthropometric measurements (chest circumference, length, head circumference, MUAC, etc.).
- Determined sensitivity, specificity, and predictive power of key measurements for IUGR detection.
Main Results:
- Birth weight strongly correlated with chest circumference, length, and head circumference in both IUGR and ABW groups.
- Chest circumference, length, and head circumference showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for identifying IUGR.
- Chest circumference < or = 29.0 cm, length < or = 47.5 cm, and head circumference < or = 33.0 cm were optimal cut-offs.
Conclusions:
- Chest circumference is the most reliable, easiest, and cheapest anthropometric measurement for assessing IUGR.
- Specific thresholds for chest circumference, length, and head circumference effectively identify IUGR.
- Anthropometric measurements are valuable tools for early IUGR diagnosis in newborns.
Abstract:
Three hundred and fifty six intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) and 356 appropriate birth weight (ABW) babies were studied for a range of different anthropometric measurements. Birth weights was highly correlated with chest circumference (r = 0.64, P < 0.001; r = 0.76, P < 0.001), length (r = 0.71, P < 0.001; r = 0.68, P < 0.001), and head circumference (r = 0.49, P < 0.001; r = 0.53, P < 0.001) either in IUGR and ABW babies, respectively. There were weak statistically significant correlations between birth weight and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (r = 0.65, P < 0.001; r = 0.15, P < 0.001), MUAC/head circumference (r = 0.43, P < 0.001; r = 0.13, P < 0.001), triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.31, P < 0.001; r = 0.14, P < 0.001), and ponderal index (r = 0.23, P < 0.001, r = 0.33, P < 0.001) in IUGR and ABW babies. All anthropometric measurements had a statistically significant sensitivity and specificity for identifying intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). However, chest circumference < or = 29.0 cm; length < or = 47.5 cm; and head circumference < or = 33.0 cm has the highest sensitivity, specificity and predictive power. Chest circumference seems to be the easiest, cheapest and most reliable anthropometric measurement to assess IUGR.