ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS;

NEWBORNS IN URBAN KARACHI POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Determination of anthropometric measurements, especially of birth weight of newborn in first few days after birth
is important for the assessment of neonatal nutritional status, gestational maturity, and prediction of early neonatal death. Objectives: (1) To
determine the mean birth weight, mean birth length and mean head-circumference. (2) To seek association between income of the family and
mean birth weight. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Setting & Period: This study was done in the pediatric department of Liaquat
National Hospital from March 2003 to September 2003. Materials and methods: One hundred full terms, normal, singleton newborn babies
were included and birth weight, length and head circumference were taken within 72 hours of birth. Results: Overall mean birth weight was
2.890 kg, mean birth length 48.245cm and mean head circumference was 34.232 cm.The % of LBW babies was 13. The mean birth weight of
babies belonging to group A (born to families with income >5000 Rs/mth) was 3.044 Kg and that of group B (born to families with income <5000
Rs/mth) was 2.736 Kg. Group A had 8 % LBW babies whereas group B had 18 %. Mean birth weight, length and head circumference of boys was
2.961Kg, 48.776 cm and 34.316 cm respectively. Mean birth weight, length and head circumference of girls was 2.788 Kg, 47.480 cm and
34.109 cm respectively. Conclusions: Community based studies should be conducted from time to time in order to develop our own population
data.