[Secular trends in the physical development of newborn infants during the 20th century till the beginning of the 21st century].
The aim is to study the changes of basic features of newborns' physical development in Sofia during the 20th century and to characterize the anthropometrical state of newborn infants at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2001 a total of 219 full-term clinically healthy newborns (110 boys and 109 girls) are studied. The data of stature, body weight, head and chest circumferences and thickness of three standard skinfolds (subscapular, abdomen and triceps) are analyzed. The results are compared with available literature data for Bulgarian children from representative investigations carried out during 1907, 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990. The basic characteristics of newborns' physical development in Sofia don't change till the 60s of the past century. Between 1960 and 1970 marked body acceleration changes are present already, which abate till the 80s. After this period of the 20th century till the beginning of the 21st century, slightly deceleration changes are observed. The neonates born in Sofia during 2001 have similar values of the basic anthropometrical features to these of the neonates born at the beginning of the 20th century, and their subcutaneous fat tissue thickness is about 1/2 of this one in neonates born in 1970.
Iankova
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I
Nacheva
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A
D000886:Anthropometry; D002031:Bulgaria; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records