Mid-arm circumference and mid-arm/head circumference ratios: standard curves for anthropometric assessment of neonatal nutritional status.
Two hundred four neonates, 25 to 42 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA), were measured on day 2 or 3 of life for upper mid-arm circumference (MAC) and head circumference. Regression analysis was used to construct standard curves for MAC versus EGA and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio (MAC/HC) versus EGA. Correlation coefficients were 0.93 for MAC versus EGA, and 0.84 for MAC/HC versus EGA. MAC, MAC/HC, and head circumference were also highly correlated with birth weight. These measurements may more accurately assess intrauterine growth and body proportionality at birth than weight, length, and head circumference.
D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis