Comparison between CANSCORE and other anthropometric indicators in fetal malnutrition

Abstract

Early detection of malnutrition in newborn babies is of major importance in order to prevent associated serious sequelae. Main objective of the study was to compare various anthropometric methods with Clinical assessment of nutritional status score (CANSCORE) in assessing fetal malnutrition. Subjects were consecutive, live, singleton, full term neonates delivered in the hospital. The mean weight, chest circumference, mid arm circumference, and Ponderal index of babies and CANSCORE described by Metcoff were assessed and compared. A total of 442 term singleton live born neonates were assessed. They consisted of 228 [51.6%] males and 214 [48.4%] females. Eighty-three [18.8%] of the 442 babies had fetal FM. The mean weight, mid arm circumference, and Ponderal index of babies with FM were significantly lower than those of babies without FM (p < 0.0001). Though the mean head circumference and the length of the babies with FM were also lower, the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.50 and 0.79 respectively). However, using intrauterine growth standard alone, 41 (49.4%) of the 83 babies with fetal malnutrition would have been missed while Ponderal Index would also have missed 51 (61.4%) of the babies with FM. CANSCORE is likely to be very useful in the routine screening of babies for anticipatory care.