Correlation of Occipito-Frontal Circumference and Occipito-Heel Length with Birth Weight of Singleton Term Babies in Enugu, South East, Nigeria

Ozor Ignatius Ikemefuna,Okafor Igwebuike Innocent,Nduagubam Obinna Chwukwuebuka,Ugwuanyi Obinna Kingsley,Agwagu Zita Njideka,Ozioko Sebastine Uche,Abireh Ifeanacho Ezeteonu

doi:10.11648/j.ajp.20200604.23

Abstract

Background: Anthropometric measurements of the new-borns are important indicators of their intra-uterine growth and development; and could be reliable predictors of their health status. This study was carried out to determine the relationships between occipito-frontal head circumference and occipito-heel length to the birth weight of singleton term newborns in ESUTH, Enugu. Methods: A total of 1000 (500 males and 500 females) live singleton term babies whose mothers gave consent for participation and satisfied the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited from the labour ward of ESUTH, Enugu from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017. The birth weight (BW), occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) and occipito-heel length (OHL) of the new-borns were measured and documented. The weight and OHL of the new-borns were used to calculate the babies’ body mass index (BMI). Data obtained was entered into SPSS version 20 and then analysed. Results: The mean values of their OFC, OHL and BW were 34.6±2.2 cm; 49.8±3.0 cm and 3.3±1.4 kg respectively. There was a significant difference between the OFC (p=0.012) and OHL (P=0.035) but not in BW (P=0.220) and BMI (p=0.446) in males neonates compared to females. A significant correlation (Pearson’s) of OFC (r=0.149; P=0.000) and OHL (r=0.145; p=0.000) with birth weight was also found. There was also a significant correlation of OFC (r=0.106; P=0.001) and OHL (r=-0.156; p=0.000) with BMI. Conclusion: The birth weight and BMI of new-born babies are good determinants of their OFC and OHL.

Highlights

The occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) of the new-born is a reliable predictor of the volume of the brain tissue and the health status of the new-born [1]
The OFC is the largest circumference of the head of the newborn at birth [2] and is measured in centimetre with a tape placed above the ears and midway between the eyebrows and the hairline to the occipital prominence at the back of the head [3]
American Journal of Pediatrics 2020; 6(4): 463-467 are important because some neonatal characteristics such as birth weight, Ponderal index, occipito-heel Length (OHL), OFC and Apgar score are used as proxies for the quality of care during the perinatal period and at childbirth

Summary

Introduction

The occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) of the new-born is a reliable predictor of the volume of the brain tissue and the health status of the new-born [1]. American Journal of Pediatrics 2020; 6(4): 463-467 are important because some neonatal characteristics such as birth weight, Ponderal index, occipito-heel Length (OHL), OFC and Apgar score are used as proxies for the quality of care during the perinatal period and at childbirth. They may be associated with the risk of developing various diseases such as macro-cephaly with possible hydrocephalus, respiratory distress syndrome as well as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in later life [5].

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