Use of a Simple Anthropometric Measurement to Identify Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. This prospective study was conducted to identify a suitable alternative to birth weight and establish its cutoff point to facilitate the identification of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. Methods. The study involved newborn babies within the first 48 hours of life. Five anthropometric measurements (head, chest, mid-arm and calf circumferences, as well as abdominal girth) were taken using a tape measure while supine length was measured with an aluminum infantometer. Birth weight was also recorded. Linear regression analysis was done to identify the measurement with the highest coefficient of determination with birth weight while its cutoff point was defined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Standard statistical tests were used to determine the statistical significance of the findings. Results. The LBW prevalence for the study population was 21.41%. Chest circumference had the highest R2 value of 0.83 for the general study population and 0.72 for the LBW infants. The identified cutoff point for chest circumference is ⩽30 cm. Conclusion. Chest circumference is the best alternative to birth weight in identifying LBW babies within the first 48 hours of life in this environment.

PERBANDINGAN LINGKAR BETIS DAN LINGKAR LENGAN ATAS SEBAGAI UKURAN PENGGANTI BERAT LAHIR <br><i> [Comparison between Calf and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Alternative of Birthweight Measurement]</br></i>

“…Berat lahir yang tidak ditimbang maupun bayi yang tidak memiliki catatan penimbangan juga menjadi masalah pada beberapa negara berkembang lain (Hadush et al, 2017;Marchant et al, 2010;Nabiwemba et al, 2013;Otupiri et al, 2014;Sreeramareddy et al, 2008). Oleh karena itu berbagai penelitian dilakukan untuk menemukan ukuran pengganti berat lahir untuk dapat mendeteksi kasus BBLR diantaranya panjang telapak kaki (Marchant et al, 2010;Nabiwemba et al, 2013), lingkar dada (Chukwudi et al, 2018;Hadush et al, 2017;Mullany et al, 2007;Otupiri et al, 2014;Sreeramareddy et al, 2008), lingkar kepala (Hadush et al, 2017;Taksande et al, 2007), lingkar lengan atas (Goto, 2011;Neeluri & Pamarthi, 2018;Otupiri et al, 2014;Vaik P et al, 2017;Verma et al, 2014), dan lingkar betis (Otupiri et al, 2014;Sheikh et al, 2017;Suneetha & Kavitha, 2016;Sunil Kumar, Sudarshan, & Vatsala, 2013) Pendeteksian BBLR secara cepat dan penanganan yang tepat merupakan hal yang penting terutama dalam kelangsungan hidup bayi (Administrative Committee on Coordination/ Subcommittee on Nutrition, 2000; Pojda & Kelley, 2000), namun sulit dilakukan jika persalinan terjadi di rumah dan tidak ditolong oleh non tenaga kesehatan yang disebabkan karena ketidaktersediaan alat penimbangan atau tidak adanya tenaga pengukur yang terlatih (Kusharisupeni et al, 2013;Neeluri & Pamarthi, 2018;Suneetha & Kavitha, 2016). Oleh karenanya diperlukan alternatif metode pendeteksian BBLR yang cepat, akurat dan mudah dilakukan.…”

Regular antenatal care visits were associated with low risk of low birth weight among newborns in Rwanda: Evidence from the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS) Data

“…9,10 Epidemiological studies have shown that the children weighing less than 2.5 kilograms are nearly 20-times more likely to die than those who weigh 2.5 kilograms and more. 11 Other studies have stated that newborns with LBW were 5-10-times more likely to die than those who weighed 2.5 kilograms and more. 2,3 Prior studies have indicated that the newborn may develop macrosomia, defined as birth weight more than 4 kilograms.…”

Newborn Mid–Upper Arm Circumference Identifies Low–Birth Weight and Vulnerable Infants: A Secondary Analysis

“…A low-cost, easily accessible community measurement for LBW infants in areas where access to perinatal healthcare is reduced and neonatal mortality is high could aide in the detection of LBW infants and facilitate appropriate referral and support. Previous studies seeking to find a surrogate for LBW considered 4 anthropometric measurements, neonatal foot length ( 16–19 , 23 , 30–34 ), chest circumference ( 12–14 , 16 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 31 , 33 , 35 , 36 ), MUAC ( 12–14 , 16 , 21–25 , 33–37 ), and HC ( 13 , 17 , 20 , 22 , 25 ). However, the use of chest circumference and foot length measurements are not routine in most settings.…”