title: Chest and occipito-frontal circumference measurements in the detection of low birth weight among Nigerian newborns of Igbo ethnicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organisation has recommended the use of anthropometric measurements as birth weight surrogates. However, it has been found that cut-off points for these anthropometric measurements vary across nations and ethnic groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the predictive values of chest circumference (CC), occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) and their combinations for low birth weight (LBW) detection in Igbo newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Live newborns of Igbo origin were recruited within 24 hours of delivery. Their CC, OFC and weight were measured. Cut off points for predicting low birth weight was determined using ROC analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 511 live newborns were recruited. For birth weight <2500 g, cut-off values were: CC 30.9 cm; OFC 33.8 cm; summation of CC and OFC 64.9 cm; ratio of CC to OFC 0.92. For weight <2000 g, the cut-off values were: CC 29.6 cm; OFC 32.8 cm; summation of CC and OFC 63.7 cm; ratio of CC to OFC 0.91. CC correlated best with birth weight (r = 0.918).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CC is the best predictor for LBW.
authors.affiliation: Enugu state University Teaching Hospital, Park lane, Enugu, Nigeria. ikennandu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ikenna K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Ndu
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. ngozibeziako@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Stella N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Ibeziako
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. egbunaobidike@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Egbuna O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Obidike
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. nwadiakanma@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gilbert N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Adimora
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. onyedelu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Benedict O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Edelu
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. josephat.chinawa@unn.edu.ng.
authors.forename: Josephat M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chinawa
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. isaacasinobi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Isaac N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Asinobi
authors.affiliation: Enugu state University Teaching Hospital, Park lane, Enugu, Nigeria. nulesa2001@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nwachinemere D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Uleanya
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009549:Nigeria; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology*