title: Evaluation of arm and thigh circumference in screening low birth weight newborns.
abstract: The present cross-sectional study collected data regarding birth weight along with arm and thigh circumference of 174 consecutive newborns delivered at Maternity Hospital, Tasgaon during 2003. To compare & evaluate utility of arm & thigh circumferences for the detection of LBW newborns. Assessment of the best suitable measurement for identification of low birth weight newborns was made by comparison of Coefficient of Determinants (R(2)), Sensitivity and Specificity values and Kappa Statistics. The estimated cut off points of arm and thigh circumference for given value of birth weight 2.5 kg. were 9.1 cm and 14.2 cm. respectively. Although both measurements are highly sensitive, present study established supiriority of arm circumference over thigh circumference in predicting low birth weight newborns. Thigh circumference is more reliable. Advantages of these measurements are their simplicity & low cost.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Preventive and Social Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Miraj. vinay_tapare@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Tapare
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Borle
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013848:Thigh