Intrauterine growth of live-born Tanzanian infants

Abstract

The incidence of low birthweight infants, the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on anthropometric measurements, and local standards of intrauterine growth curves for weight, crown-heel length and head circumference together with curves of body measurement ratios of weight/length, weight/head circumference and weight/length x head circumference are presented for the population of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Acomparison is made with a standard composed for a Caucasian community with completely different socio-economic and nutritional status. From 28 to 34 weeks of gestation weight gain in Dar es Salaam foetuses was reduced, while length and head circumference were relatively less affected. However, an increased intrauterine growth velocity was recorded from 34 to 38 weeks of gestation.

PIP: A prospective study on the incidence of low birthweight infants, the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on anthropometric measurements, and local standards of intrauterine growth curves for various body measuremenst was conducted at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study involved 16,532 consecutive live born infants. The mean birthweight at term was calculated from 200 randomly-selected infants in the group. The scheme, i.e., measurements and visible signs, used to determine gestational age is presented in tabular form. Grown-heel length, head circumference, weight/length ratio, weight/head circumference ratio, and weight/length x head circumference measurements and calculations were made. These measurements were charted against gestational age in order to draw an intrauterine growth chart. A comparison was made between these standards and the bodyweight standards for a different socioeconomic and nutritional status population in Montreal. The incidence of low birthweight infants was 1,111 male and 1,396 female infants out of the total of more than 16,000. The intrauterine growth chart showed that weight gain was reduced from 28-34 weeks gestation, but length and head circumference were less affected. From 34-38 weeks gestation, intrauterine growth increased. All measurements for the more socioeconomically advantaged Montreal population were greater. Implications of this study are still under consideration.