Accelerative changes in some anthropometric indices of newborn infants in Plovdiv during the period from 1939 to 1995.
Periodical observation and comparison of newborn infants' physical development indices gives an idea of the dynamics of accelerative changes and the efficacy of implemented health and social programs for maternity protection in a given country. The author performs a longitudinal study of the basic anthropometric--birth height and weight of newborn infants in Plovdiv for a 56 year period. Two periods are outlined. The first one, 46 years long, is characterized with a marked increase of the anthropometric values and lasts till 1975. After that the acceleration rate levels off and gradually slows down. In the second 10 year period an abrupt decrease of newborn infants' birth height and weight is recorded, as their values drop to the levels obtained in the 1946/47 study. The author relates this negative trend to the economic crisis in the country, the progressive impoverishment of the population, the unemployment and insecurity in the future. The existing social and health facilities for maternity protection in the country are estimated as inadequate for the present situation.
Dimitrov
I
I
Department of Social Medicine, University of Medicine, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
D000886:Anthropometry; D002031:Bulgaria; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male