Reference values of anthropometric measurements in healthy late preterm and term infants

Betül Si̇yah Bi̇lgi̇n,Özgün Uygur,Nilgün Kültürsay,Demet Terek,Mehmet Yalaz,Özgür Çoğulu,Özge Altun Köroğlu,Mete Akisü

doi:10.3906/sag-1712-44

Abstract

Geographical distribution, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors may affect anthropometric measurements, and for that reason each society should determine their own measurements accounting for those factors. In this study, we aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements of healthy late preterm and term infants to compare the results with other national and international studies. This sectional study was carried out among 1197 infants born with a gestational age of ≥35 weeks. Chest circumference, ear length, foot length, palmar length, middle finger length, philtrum distance, inner and outer canthal distances, and palpebral fissure length were measured in the first 24 h of life. All measurements of late preterm infants were smaller than those of term infants (P ˂ 0.05). Compared with male infants, the chest circumference, ear length, foot length, palmar length, philtrum distance, and inner canthal distances of the female infants were lower (P ˂ 0.05). No significant differences were found between male and female infants’ middle finger length, outer canthal distance, and palpebral fissure length measurements. Percentile values for all measurements of 35–42-week male and female infants were described. These measurements of male and female infants born between 35 and 42 weeks may be useful for early detection of syndromes by detecting anatomical abnormalities in our population.

Highlights

Anthropometry is a simple universally performed method to reveal the composition and demonstrate the type and the proportions of the human body
We aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements of healthy late preterm and term infants born at Ege University Medical Faculty and to compare the results with those of other national and international studies
Gestational age was determined by the first day of the last menstrual period, ultrasonographic measurement, or by using the new Ballard score

Summary

Introduction

Anthropometry is a simple universally performed method to reveal the composition and demonstrate the type and the proportions of the human body. Anthropometric measurements provide numerical values to define the body type and composition. Anthropometry is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating dysmorphic children, and is especially helpful to genetics specialists and dysmorphologists in diagnosing diseases. Malformations in face, hands, and fingers are common in syndromes. Geographical distribution, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors may affect anthropometric measurements, and for that reason every single society should determine their own standard measurements (1–3). We aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements of healthy late preterm and term infants born at Ege University Medical Faculty and to compare the results with those of other national and international studies

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion