Birth weight, length, head circumference and bilirubin level in Indian newborns in the Sioux Lookout Zone, northwestern Ontario

Abstract

The norms for birth weight, length, head circumference and bilirubin level for native newborns have not been available. To develop appropriate norms, data were obtained from the charts on all live births in the Sioux Lookout Zone, northwestern Ontario, in 1968-69 and 1974-77. These data were correlated to maternal age and parity as well as sex of the infant. Despite impoverished living conditions, the birth weights of the study population were significantly higher than the Canadian norms; length and head circumference, however, were not significantly different. Over one third of the infants had serum bilirubin levels greater than 12 mg/dL (205 mumol/L). Increased maternal age was associated with increased birth weight and length and a lower bilirubin level.