Anthropometric Indicators of Low Birth Weight

This study ia aimed to develop indicators of low birth weight in the newborn for use in communities where babies are usually delivered at home and where scales to weigh newborns are not available. For this purpose head arm chest thigh and calf circumferences triceps and subscapular skinfolds weight and length were determined in 1000 newborns during the 1st 24 hours after delivery in 2 hospitals in Guatemala. Except for triceps and subscapular skinfolds all anthropometric variables were highly associated with birth weight. From the analysis performed the following limits may be useful to define newborns at risk of having low birth weight (=or< 2.5 kg): arm circumference =or< 9.0 cm; 2) head circumference =or< 32.0 cm; 3) calf circumference =or< 10.0 cm; 4) thigh circumference =or< 14.5 cm; 5) chest circumference =or< 30.0 cm; and 6) lenght =or< 48.0 cm. Newborns falling within these categories may be considered at high risk of low birth weight and thus be eligible for immediate nutritional as well as medical attention aimed to increase their chances for survival and optimal development. (authors modified)