title: Evidence of growth retardation in neonates of apparently normal weight.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of ponderal index (PI) and the ratio of mid-arm circumference to occipito-frontal circumference (MAC/OFC) to the delivered weight of the child. Measurements were made on 160 singleton neonates with birthweight greater than 2500 g and delivery at 37 weeks or more. Surprisingly, there was a highly significant correlation between PI and birthweight and MAC/OFC and birthweight. We conclude that: (1) values of PI must be evaluated in relation to birthweight, and not against a single absolute standard for the whole normal population; (2) measurement of PI and MAC/OFC may reveal a group of growth-retarded infants amongst infants of apparently 'normal' birthweight; and (3) this group of infants might be a target for the extra care normally accorded to the low birthweight infant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chard
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Costeloe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leaf
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values