title: Ponderal index of low birth weight babies--a hospital based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the ratio of disproportionate versus proportionate Intra uterine growth retardation among low birth weight babies using the Ponderal index.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study. Medical records of babies with weight < 2.5kg delivered in the Obstetric Department were reviewed. The ponderal index was calculated to determine disproportionate and proportionate intra uterine growth retardation among low birth weight babies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 227 babies were included. Male and Female ratio was equal. Sixty seven percent were delivered vaginally. Only 12 mothers (5.3%) had a history of maternal illness. Eighty nine low birth weight babies (39.9%) had a low ponderal index. Ponderal index in fullterm babies was < 2.2 in 54.3% and in pre-term < 2.0 in 34.9%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly 40% of low birth weight babies had disproportionate body proportions. This group of babies according to foetal origins of diseases may be predisposed to Diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Dure Samin
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Fehmina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arif
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies