Abstract

The present study was undertaken at the Neonatal Unit, Department of Pediatrics, S.N. Medical College, Agra; from September 2005 to August 2007 to find out foot length measurement as an effective screening tool in the identification of low birth weight babies. Foot-length measurement is a cheap, easy to use, less prone to errors with no requirement of a technical aid or expertise and there is no necessity for any form of equipment or facility. The incidence of LBW babies was 45.82% with 65.9% Term SGA and 34.1% pre-term babies. Mean values for crown heel length, occipito-frontal circumference, chest circumference, mid-arm circumference and foot length were cm, and respectively.
 
 Key Words: LBW babies, Crown heel length, Neonatal and pre-term babies.

Highlights

  • LBW is the single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child

  • September 2005 to August 2007 to find out foot length measurement as an effective screening tool in the identification of low birth weight babies

  • The newborns were taken from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Department of Pediatric and those present in the post-natal and post-operative ward of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, S.N

Read more

Summary

Introduction

LBW is the single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child. A high percentage of LBW points to deficient health status of pregnant woman, inadequate prenantal care and the need for improved care of newborn.[4]. The Neo-natal mortally rate (NMR) of 43 per 1000 live births in India is exceeding high when compared to < 5 in developed countries. At least 17 million infants are born every year with low birth weight, representing about 16% of all newborns in developing countries. 80% of all intrauterine growth retarded newborns who are low birth weight and full term are born in Asia[5] (mainly south-central Asia, with Bangladesh having the highest rate in the world (50%). Incident rates of > 15% for low birth weight[6] and > 20% for intrauterine growth retardation indicate a major public health problem

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
SYSTEMICEXAMINATION
AND DISCUSSION:
Findings
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.