Evaluation of two standards of arm/head ratios in neonatal nutritional assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the percentage agreement between two standards of arm/head ratios in neonatal nutritional assessment.


METHODS
The nutritional status of newborn infants was determined using a standard of arm/head ratio on gestational age and another standard of arm/head ratio on birthweight. The two assessments were then compared for percentage agreement in the study sample and in sub-groups of birthweight categories.


METHODS
Newborn Unit, Specialist Hospital, Yola, Nigeria.


METHODS
Two hundred and seventy two neonates including 74 low birthweight infants and 198 infants with birthweight > or = 2.5 kg.


METHODS
The nutritional status of each infant was determined, using the two standards of arm/head ratios. The percentage agreement between the two methods was investigated.


METHODS
Neonatal nutritional status (malnourished and well-nourished) and percentage agreement between methods.


RESULTS
In the study sample of 272 infants, the percentage agreement was 94.1%. In the sub-group of low birthweight infants, the percentage agreement was 83.8% while in the larger infants, it was 89.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
This report is a further confirmation of the clinical usefulness of the newer standard of arm/head ratio on birthweight in neonatal nutritional assessment. It is particularly recommended for its independence of precise maturity determination.
Eregie
C O
CO
Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
Abraham
R
R
D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009752:Nutritional Status