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An easy way for estimation of low birth weight in newborn babies in Baghdad, Iraq
1Medical Institute, Bab-Al-Muadam, Baghdad, Iraq.
Insights
Head circumference measurement effectively screens low birth weight (LBW) infants. A color-coded tape can aid midwives and birth attendants in identifying LBW newborns for specialized pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate and accessible screening methods are crucial for early intervention in newborns.
- Traditional anthropometric measurements can be resource-intensive in field settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of head circumference measurement for screening low birth weight (LBW) infants.
- To propose a practical, field-adaptable tool for LBW screening.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements were conducted on 723 singleton Iraqi infants.
- Data analysis focused on the correlation between head circumference and birth weight.
- A color-coded tape concept was developed for practical application.
Main Results:
- Head circumference measurement demonstrated utility as a screening tool for LBW infants.
- The proposed color-coded tape offers a simple method for field use.
Conclusions:
- Head circumference is a reliable indicator for screening LBW neonates.
- The color-coded tape facilitates early identification and referral of LBW infants by community health workers, including midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBAs).
- This approach can improve access to specialized pediatric care for at-risk newborns.
Abstract:
Anthropometric measurements were done on 723 singleton Iraqi infants who were born consecutively in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. The results showed that the measurement of head circumference can be used to screen LBW babies. We suggest the use of this single measurement for practical field work by developing a tricoloured tape with bands of colours. Midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) can be educated to use the colour-coded tape and refer LBW new-born infants for special pediatric care.