Normative growth standard for upper arm measurements for exclusively breastfed infants.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a normogram for upper arm measurements for the evaluation of exclusively breastfed infants and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the normogram.


METHODS
A prospective study involving the evaluation of infants discharged from the Newborn Unit and follow-up for the first six months of life while being exclusively breastfed.


METHODS
Neonatal follow up Clinic, University Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria from 1st June, 1995 to 31st May, 1997.


METHODS
A total of 219 exclusively breastfed infants were recruited and analysed for the development of the normogram. A second group of 100 normal exclusively breastfed infants were evaluated to determine the clinical usefulness of the normogram.


METHODS
Determination of the upper arm measurement of the infants and development of the normogram using the statistics of the regression analysis of these measurements on postnatal age.


METHODS
Upper arm measurements, mean measurements at each completed month, regression statistics (MAC on postnatal age).


RESULTS
Mean MAC measurements increased progressively from the first to the sixth completed months. There was a significant difference between the mean measurements at the 4th and 6th completed months. Upper arm measurements showed a highly significant correlation with postnatal age and the regression line and the 95% confidence limits were used to develop the normogram. Of the 100 infants in the second group, 92% had normal infant growth using the normogram.


CONCLUSIONS
The developed normogram of upper arm measurements was evaluated to be clinically useful in exclusively breastfed infants.
Eregie
C O
CO
Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values