[Secular changes in anthropometrical variables at birth: a local perspective].
BACKGROUND
Anthropometrical measurements at birth are the result of the conditions during pregnancy, being an issue of current interest due to the reported relationship of birth weight with non communicable chronic diseases in adulthood.


OBJECTIVE
To study the change in anthropometrical measurements at birth, between the period 1974-1978 and the period 1995-1999, in two counties of Valparatso, Chile.


METHODS
We collected information from the public health care system in a universe of 5,018 newborns of the two periods.


RESULTS
When compared to 1974-1978, the period 1995-1999, showed 38% decrease in the number of deliveries, 0.7% decrease in parity, 1.4% decrease in pre-term deliveries and one year increase of mother's age. Likewise birth weight increased by 246 g in males and 210 g in females (p < 0.01). Birth length increased by 0.5 cm in males and 0.4 cm in females (p < 0.01). Low birth weight was reduced from 9 to 4.2% and length under -2 standard deviations from normal, also decreased from 5.4 to 1.5% (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In the last 20 years, an improvement in anthropometrical measurements at birth was observed. Better conditions during pregnancy probably explain these changes.
Amigo
Hugo
H
Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile. hamigo@machi.med.uchile.cl
Bustos
Patricia
P
Zumelzu
Elinor
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002677:Chile; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D017678:Sex Distribution