ObjectiveTo compare the anthropometric measurements of newborns in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, with WHO standards.MethodsBirth weight, length and occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) of 400 consecutive, term newborns of healthy mothers were measured in a tertiary care hospital.Results400 subjects were approached and seven were excluded, concluding the study population to 184 boys and 209 females. Medians of birth weight, length and OFC were 3000 g, 49.95 cm and 34.15 cm of males and IQRs were 555.00, 2.70 and 1.70, respectively. For females, the medians of birth weight, length and OFC were 2900 g, 48.9 cm and 34.00 cm with IQRs of 450.00, 2.70 and 1.50, respectively. The two-tailed t-test revealed that median weights of males (t=9.632) and females (t=12.04) and OFC of males (t=3.98) were significantly lower than the WHO medians. There was a significant association of birth weight, with mother’s prepregnancy weight, in males (β coefficient=12.629 with 95% CI 6.275 to 18.982) and females (β coefficient=5.880, 95% CI 1.434 to 10.325). Significant associations of length (β coefficient=0.046, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.080) and OFC (β coefficient=0.033, 95% CI 0.014 to 0.053) with mother’s prepregnancy weight in males and length (β coefficient=0.084, 95% CI 0.022 to 0.145) and weight (β coefficient=10.780, 95% CI 0.93 to 20.629) with maternal age in females were found. Furthermore, birth weight in males was significantly associated with maternal height (β coefficient=10.899, 95% CI 0.552 to 21.247). Education level, ethnicity and parity showed no significant associations with above parameters.ConclusionThe median weights of both sexes and OFC in males were significantly lower than the WHO standards. Island-wide studies are indicated to evaluate the appropriateness of applying WHO standards to Sri Lankan newborns.

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Objectives: To assess factors associated with poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in late pregnancy.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 109 pregnant women in their third trimester admitted to Teaching Hospital Peradeniya using validated Sinhala translations of both Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Consecutive sampling was used from February to April 2021.Results: Application of PSQI demonstrated that 59.6% had a poor overall sleep quality (PSQI score>5). Subcomponent analysis showed poor sleep duration (< 06 hours per day) in 27.5%, sleep latency of over 30 minutes in 29.4%, poor sleep efficiency among 33.9% and day-time dysfunction in 30.3%. Poor overall sleep quality was associated with presence of foetal movements (OR=11.8, 95% CI=1.5-93.5) and backache (OR=3.8, 95% CI=1.2-12.3). Poor sleep duration was associated with the presence of one or more pregnancy related complications (OR=3.4, 95% CI=1.4-8.5) and advanced maternal age over 35 years (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.4-9.7). Increased sleep latency over 30 minutes was seen in mothers over 34 weeks of gestation (OR=9.1, 95% CI=2.9-28.6) and over 10kg of weight gain (OR=5.3, 95% CI=1.2-24.4). Application of ESS demonstrated 26.6% had EDS, which was associated with maternal employment (OR=2.8, 95% CI=1.1-7.1) and higher educational status (OR=4.7, 95% CI=1.5-15.1). EDS did not result in poor sleep quality, however, mothers experiencing insomnia had a higher PSQI score (Mean ± SD 7.2±3.7 vs 6.2±3.4 hours, p=0.044).Conclusion: Majority of pregnant women in third trimester had poor overall sleep quality. EDS was seen among one fourth. Modifiable risk factors were associated with poor sleep quality and EDS.

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