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. 2007 Dec;53(6):420-3.
doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmm052. Epub 2007 Jun 15.

Predictor of low birth weight babies by anthropometry

A Taksande  1 , K Y Vilhekar, P Chaturvedi, S Gupta, P Deshmukh
Affiliations

Predictor of low birth weight babies by anthropometry

A Taksande et al. J Trop Pediatr. 2007 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: The present study was undertaken to find out the best simple anthropometric parameter for identifying low birth weight (LBW) babies.

Study design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Participants: Newborn babies born in KHS hospital, Sevagram.

Results: In the present study, out of 868 newborn babies studied, 52.2% were male. Total 12.6% of them were birth weight < 2000 g and 44.6% were birth weight < 2500 g. Birth weight was significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with thigh circumference (TC), mid-arm circumference (MAC), calf circumference (CFC) and head circumference (HC). All anthropometric indicators had a statistically significant sensitivity, specificity and predictive value (p < 0.001) for identifying < or =2500 g birth weight babies. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was done to identify the optimal cut-off points of these anthropometric measures separately for LBW babies and <2000 g birth weight babies.

Conclusion: HC and TC appears to be better indicators for picking up LBW babies and MAC and CFC appears to be better in picking up very LBW babies.

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