Gestational Age - the Most Important Factor of Neonatal Ponderal Index

Abstract

Ponderal index (fetal weight in grams X 100 / (fetal length in centimeters)3) (PI) is one of the anthropometric methods used to diagnose impaired fetal growth. Irrespective of the infant's position on the growth-weight-for-gestational age charts, PI is low in malnourished infants and high in obese ones. As fetal growth is affected by ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, we developed standards for neonatal PI, and assessed the effects of gestational age, sex and maternal parity. Data on 5798 newborns from singleton pregnancies born in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Split University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Over a 15-month period in 2000/2001, 5596 newborns from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation were born. The other 202 newborns, born from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation in the ten year period, 1990-1999, were added because of the small number of preterm infants; ensuring a minimum of 30 to fill up at least infants in each gestational week. All mothers were of Caucasian origin. Stillbirths and fetuses with congenital malformations were excluded. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles, mean values with standard deviation of PI and the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of birth weight and birth length are presented separately at weekly intervals. PI showed linear correlation with gestational age from 24 to 39 weeks, after witch the data plateaued. Sex and parity had no impact on PI in infants born between 24 and 37 weeks. Analysis of variance revealed PI to be significantly higher in female than in male newborns, and in multiparous than in nulliparous infants after 37 weeks of gestation. In conclusion, gestational age is the most important factor of neonatal PI. The effects of sex and parity on PI should only be considered in term neonates.

Maternal serum ferritin as a clinical tool at 34–36 weeks’ gestation for distinguishing subgroups of fetal growth restriction

“…IUGR was defined as birthweight below 5th percentile for gestational age accompanied by either abnormal umbilical artery Doppler waveforms (pulsatility index 495th centile or absent/reversed enddiastolic flow) or oligohydramnios (single vertical pocket of 52 cm during ultrasonographic amniotic fluid assessment). Ponderal index (PI ¼ weight (kg)/height 3 (m 3 ), an anthropometric marker employed to define fetal growth, was also calculated [10]. After admission to our unit, we followed-up pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction according to our protocol.…”

Maternal and Neonatal Effects of Substance Abuse during Pregnancy: Our Ten-year Experience

“…In children born to addicted mothers, urine toxicology (Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics Division, IL, USA) for dependence substances, 5-minute Apgar score, and NAS score according to Finnegan were performed 14. Our own standards were used to evaluate fetal growth from birth weight according to gestational age and maternal parity and by use of ponderal index (PI (g/cm 3 ) = weight (g) × 100/length (cm 3 ) 15,16…”

Leptin and adiponectin concentrations in intrauterine growth restricted and appropriate for gestational age fetuses, neonates, and their mothers

“…Blood was immediately centrifuged after clotting and the supernatant serum was kept frozen at K80 8C until assay. Ponderal index (PIZweight(kg)/height(m) 3 ), an anthropometric marker employed to define fetal growth, was calculated (27).…”