Browsing by Author "Ngowi, Judith A"

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    Alternative anthropometric measurements of a new born as surrogates for birth weight
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1990) Ngowi, Judith A
    The need for other anthropometric measurements as surrogates for birth weight has been necessitated by the failure to attain accurate birth weight measurements in the majority of births in the developing countries. Mid-arm and chest circumference have been suggested as reliable measurements for the purpose. In this study 1,666 Tanzanian newborns were measured in order to evaluate the correlation between mid-arm, chest-circumference and birth weight in Tanzanian newborns and to determine the stability of these measurements over the first five days of life. The study also determined values of chest and mid-arm circumference predictive of birth weights of 2,000 gm and 2,500 gm and assessed the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of these cut-off points in the prediction of low birth weight. The results showed a high correlation between birth weight and mid-arm circumference (r=0.88) and chest circumference (r=0.92). The correlations remained high throughout the first five days of life, ranging from 0.938 to 0.987 for mid-arm circumference and from 0.944 to 0.989 for chest circumference. The mean differences between measurements taken on day one and measurements taken on subsequent days did not exceed 0.46 cm for mid-arm circumference and 0.3 cm for chest circumference, indicating stable and repeatable measurements over the five days. Chest circumference of 26.9 cm and 29.6 cm and mid-arm circumferences of 8.4 cm and 9.5 cm corresponded to birth weights of 2,000 gm and 2,500 gm respectively. These values were associated with sensitivities ranging from 86.4% to 95.2% for chest circumference and 87.1% to 93.2% for mid-arm circumference in predicting birth weights less than 2,500 gm. Predictions of low birth weight using measurements of chest or mid-arm circumference taken on subsequent days agreed with predictions using measurements taken on day one in at least 98.7% of the cases. It is concluded that these anthropometric measurements can be used reliably as surrogate of birth weight. A tricoloured tape is recommended for inclusion in rural delivery kits to simplify the measurements.