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Birthweight standards for south Indian babies
M Mathai1, S Jacob, N G Karthikeyan
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore.
Indian Pediatrics
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Birthweight standards for South Indian infants are influenced by gestational age, sex, birth order, and maternal height. Adjusting birthweight centiles for these factors is crucial to avoid misclassification.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Establishing accurate birthweight standards is essential for assessing infant health and development.
- Existing birthweight charts may not accurately represent diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive birthweight standards specific to South Indian neonates.
- To identify key factors influencing birthweight in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 11,641 singleton live births.
- Calculation of smoothed gestation-specific birthweight centiles.
- Analysis of factors including sex, birth order, and maternal height using multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Gestation, sex, birth order, and maternal height significantly influenced birthweight.
- Female infants were lighter on average than males; later-born infants were heavier.
- Misclassification occurred when using non-adjusted birthweight centiles.
Conclusions:
- Birthweight centiles for gestation require adjustment for birth order, infant sex, and maternal height for South Indian babies.
- Accurate standards are vital for appropriate clinical assessment and intervention.