Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Interdependency of anthropometric parameters of newborn with variable period of gestational age

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1Dr. Rajkumar Selvaraj, 2Dr. Saminathan Deivanayagam, 3Dr. Chandrababu Chandran, 4Dr. Haridharanee Thomas Paulraj

Abstract

Background: An important factor in determining whether a specific low birth weight neonate is preterm or has growth retardation is the estimated gestational age. So, this study was an attempt to determine the correlation between anthropometric parameters of newborns with a period of gestational age. Material and Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was done among 200 consecutive live births delivered at tertiary care centre. The anthropometric parameters like birth weight, length, foot length, head circumference, chest circumference, mid upper arm circumference were recorded and analysed with gestational age using correlation and regression analysis. Results: At p value of 0.05, the neonatal anthropometric measures showed a positive correlation with GA in completed weeks. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that Birth weight, length and head circumference had significant linear relationship and the regression equation derived as follows: GA = [41.325 + 1.603 (????????????????ℎ ????????????????ℎ????)] + 0.125 (????????????????????ℎ) − 0.437 (????ℎ???????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????). Conclusion: The anthropometric parameters had a positive correlation with gestational age and there was an increase in all parameters of birth weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, foot length, and MUAC with respect to gestational age. So, these measurements can be used as a better screening tool for the assessment of prematurity in low resource settings

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