Determination of birth indices in healthy neonates

Abstract

Determination of birth indices is essential for primary supportive care, evaluation of perinatal anomalies, determination amount of difference from standard values and for further follow up. In this study using a multicentre sampling, a number of 2832 healthy neonates selected. Mean and percentile values of four main birth indices; weight, height, head and chest circumference are presented. In this study, males outnumbered the females (50.8 vs. 49.2). Mean (± SD) weight, height, head and chest circumferences were 3231.70 gr (±3.92), 49.77 cm (±1.76), 35.03 cm (± 1.27) and 33.34 cm (±1.56), respectively. Weight, height and head circumference had significant statistical differences in male and female. Chest circumference had difference in gender groups, but it seemed to be clinically not significant (mean difference= 0.416). Birth weight in both genders plus height and chest circumference in girls were significantly lower than NCHS standard values. But, head circumference was more. Height and chest circumference of males had no statistically difference. © 2007 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved