Ponderal Index Research Articles

Exercise FITT-V during pregnancy: Association with birth outcomes.

Prenatal exercise improves birth outcomes, but research into exercise dose-response effects is limited. This study is a retrospective, secondary analysis of pooled data from three blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trials. Prenatal exercise frequency, intensity, type, time, and volume (FITT-V) were assessed in supervised sessions throughout pregnancy. Gestational age (GA), neonatal resting heart rate (rHR), morphometrics (body circumferences, weight-to-length and ponderal index) Apgar and reflex scores, and placental measures were obtained at birth. Stepwise regressions and Pearson correlations determined associations between FITT-V and birth outcomes. Prenatal exercise frequency reduces ponderal index (R2 = 0.15, F = 2.76, p = .05) and increased total number of reflexes present at birth (R2 = 0.24, F = 7.89, p < .001), while exercise intensity was related to greater gestational age and birth length (R2 = 0.08, F = 3.14; R2 = 0.12, F = 3.86, respectively; both p = .04); exercise weekly volume was associated with shorter hospital stay (R2 = 0.24, F = 4.73, p = .01). Furthermore, exercise type was associated with placenta size (R2 = 0.47, F = 3.51, p = .01). Prenatal exercise is positively related to birth and placental outcomes in a dose-dependent manner.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА АНТРОПОМЕТРИЧЕСКИХ И БИОИМПЕДАНСОМЕТРИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ РОССИЙСКИХ И ИНОСТРАННЫХ СТУДЕНТОВ СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОЧНОГО ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА

To study the adaptation processes of foreign students, the most accessible and informative is to determine their morphofunctional status. The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative characterization of anthropometric and bioimpedance indicators of yakut and arab students. Materials and methods: 166 young men of yakut nationality and 43 arab boys, natives of Egypt, whose average age was 19,9±0,25 years, were examined. All the examined were 1st year students of the Medical Institute of the North-Eastern Federal University. Anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements were carried out, and an index assessment of physical development was given. The methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics are used. Results and conclusion: Significantly high indices of body weight, chest circumference, buttock girth and antero-posterior chest diameter were established in arab boys. Yakuts have significantly higher shoulder diameter values. Arab boys are more likely to register persons with increased body density according to the Yarho-Kaupe index, high physical development according to the Rohrer index, persons with increased body weight and obesity according to the body mass index. The indices of active and reactive tissue resistance were significantly higher in yakut boys. Significantly high values of total hydration, musculoskeletal mass and lean mass were recorded in arab boys. Among the yakut boys, a significantly large proportion of persons with a high value and the absence of persons with a low value of the phase angle were identified. The obtained results of bioimpedance analysis indicate the best condition of the body's cells, the level of overall performance and metabolic intensity in yakut boys.

Sex and fetal genome influence gene expression in pig endometrium at the end of gestation

BackgroundA fine balance of feto-maternal resource allocation is required to support pregnancy, which depends on interactions between maternal and fetal genetic potential, maternal nutrition and environment, endometrial and placental functions. In particular, some imprinted genes have a role in regulating maternal-fetal nutrient exchange, but few have been documented in the endometrium. The aim of this study is to describe the expression of 42 genes, with parental expression, in the endometrium comparing two extreme breeds: Large White (LW); Meishan (MS) with contrasting neonatal mortality and maturity at two days of gestation (D90-D110). We investigated their potential contribution to fetal maturation exploring genes-fetal phenotypes relationships. Last, we hypothesized that the fetal genome and sex influence their endometrial expression. For this purpose, pure and reciprocally crossbred fetuses were produced using LW and MS breeds. Thus, in the same uterus, endometrial samples were associated with its purebred or crossbred fetuses.ResultsAmong the 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 14 DEGs were differentially regulated between the two days of gestation. More gestational changes were described in LW (11 DEGs) than in MS (2 DEGs). Nine DEGs were differentially regulated between the two extreme breeds, highlighting differences in the regulation of endometrial angiogenesis, nutrient transport and energy metabolism. We identified DEGs that showed high correlations with indicators of fetal maturation, such as ponderal index at D90 and fetal blood fructose level and placental weight at D110.We pointed out for the first time the influence of fetal sex and genome on endometrial expression at D90, highlighting AMPD3, CITED1 and H19 genes. We demonstrated that fetal sex affects the expression of five imprinted genes in LW endometrium. Fetal genome influenced the expression of four genes in LW endometrium but not in MS endometrium. Interestingly, both fetal sex and fetal genome interact to influence endometrial gene expression.ConclusionsThese data provide evidence for some sexual dimorphism in the pregnant endometrium and for the contribution of the fetal genome to feto-maternal interactions at the end of gestation. They suggest that the paternal genome may contribute significantly to piglet survival, especially in crossbreeding production systems.

Morphometry of newborn piglets and its relevance at weaning: new approach

Context The strategic management of pigs raised in an intensive system has been conducted, in general, according to the average weight of piglets after weaning. Different models using morphometric parameters to predict the probability of any of the three weight classes (light, medium, and heavy) occurring post-weaning present themselves as an alternative to help the producer conduct these strategic managements. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the development of suckling piglets by using morphometric parameters. Methods A thousand simple samples were extracted at random from 268 piglets for the training data, which represent 70% of the original data set (384 piglets). The remaining 116 piglets (test data) were excluded from the analysis so as to verify the performance of the prediction (probability of each weight class to occur). Afterwards, the results were compared with the real weight class of the piglet at weaning. The variables in this research were birth weight (PWB), lactation length (Lac), and morphometric parameters of body length (BL), heart girth (HG), body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI), surface:mass ratio (SM), and parity order (PO). Different models were developed to predict the probability of any of the three weight classes (light, &lt;3.967 kg; medium, 3.967–5.095 kg; and heavy, &gt;5.095 kg) occurring at piglet weaning on the basis of their parameters 1 day postpartum. An adjustment of the ordinal regression was proposed to predict the weight classifications. Key results The model with a significant effect of the Lac variables was selected. Conclusions and implications One day after birth, light-weight and heavy-weight piglets, regardless of their morphometry, have a high likelihood of remaining in the same weight class at weaning. However, this does not apply to medium-sized piglets with diverse morphometry.

Mental and physical health in children of women with a history of anorexia nervosa.

Few studies have investigated the offspring of women with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of this study was to examine perinatal status, mental and physical health in the offspring of mothers with a history of AN. Fifty-one individuals with adolescent-onset AN and 51 matched controls (COMP) have been followed prospectively. Presently, 30years after AN onset, at a mean age of 44years, female participants who had given birth (nAN = 40, nCOMP = 40) were interviewed regarding psychiatric health in their offspring using the Developmental and Well-Being Assessment and the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. In addition, information on the offspring's perinatal status, psychiatric- and physical health was obtained from the Swedish Medical Birth Register and The Swedish National Patient Register. Data regarding mental and physical health were available for 83 and 86 offspring in the AN and COMP groups, respectively. At birth, all of weight, length, head circumference and ponderal index were significantly reduced in the offspring of mothers with a history of AN. In adolescence, parental interviews indicated an overrepresentation of current psychiatric diagnoses in the offspring of mothers with AN. Compared with the offspring in the COMP group, endocrinological, immune and metabolic disorders were much more common in the offspring of the AN group. In conclusion, a history of AN increases the risk of worse perinatal outcome of the offspring. Later on, in childhood and adolescence, psychiatric and physical morbidity may be overrepresented in the offspring of women with AN.

Abnormal umbilical cord coiling and association with pregnancy factors.

The umbilical cord, as a connecting bridge between two lives, plays an important role in fetal development. Though studies on the umbilical cord date back many years, extensive studies on certain umbilical cord characteristics, such as umbilical cord coiling, are rare. Cord coiling, measured by the umbilical coiling index, is a physiological phenomenon that offers resistance to external pressures. Umbilical cord coiling is a result of several factors, both environmental and genetic. However, umbilical cords sometimes coil abnormally, resulting in hypocoiling, hypercoiling, or non-coiling which have significant associations with adverse perinatal outcomes. An all-language literature search was conducted on Medline from 1970 to 2023. The following search terms were used; umbilical cord; umbilical coiling; coiling index; abnormal coiling; perinatal outcomes, and cross-referencing yielded further information. We comprehensively reviewed the literature on umbilical cord coiling, factors contributing to coiling, abnormal coiling of the umbilical cord, and the association with several factors including maternal age, gravida, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, abruption, birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, maternal iron status, small for gestational age, fetal heart rate variations, ponderal index, and sought possible explanations.

Associations of cord serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) mixture with birth outcomes and mediating role of thyroid function: Evidence from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study

BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a series of worldwide applied flame retardants, may influence fetal growth and interfere with thyroid function. The study intended to explore the relationship between in-utero exposure to PBDE mixture and newborn anthropometric indexes and to further examine the potential mediating role of thyroid function. MethodsDemographics and laboratory measures of 924 mother-infant pairs were obtained from the database of the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. We applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to measure nine PBDE congeners and seven thyroid function parameters in umbilical cord serum samples, respectively. We fitted generalized linear models and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to evaluate associations of lipid-adjusted cord serum PBDEs, as individuals and as a mixture, with newborn anthropometric and cord serum thyroid function parameters. We applied causal mediation analysis to test our hypothesis that thyroid function parameters act as a mediator between PBDEs and birth outcomes. ResultsThe molarity of cord serum ∑9PBDE had a median value of 31.23 nmol/g lipid (IQR 19.14 nmol/g lipid, 54.77 nmol/g lipid). BDE-209 was the most dominant congener. Birth length was positively associated with both single exposure to BDE-28 and cumulative exposure to PBDEs. Correspondingly, ponderal index (PI) was negatively associated with BDE-28 and the total effects of PBDE mixture. Free triiodothyronine had a negative trend with BDE-209 and PBDE mixture. In the sex-stratified analysis, BDE-153 concentrations were positively correlated with PI among males (β = 0.03; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.05; P = 0.01) but not among females. Cord serum thyrotropin mediated 14.92% of the estimated effect of BDE-153 on PI. ConclusionsIn-utero mixture exposure to PBDEs was associated with birth outcomes and thyroid function. Thyroid function might act as a mediator in the process in which PBDEs impact the growth of the fetus.

Asymmetric growth-limiting development of the female conceptus.

Sex differences in prenatal growth may contribute to sex-dependent programming effects on postnatal phenotype. We integrated for the first time phenotypic, histomorphological, clinico-chemical, endocrine and gene expression analyses in a single species, the bovine conceptus at mid-gestation. We demonstrate that by mid-gestation, before the onset of accelerated growth, the female conceptus displays asymmetric lower growth compared to males. Female fetuses were smaller with lower ponderal index and organ weights than males. However, their brain:body weight, brain:liver weight and heart:body weight ratios were higher than in males, indicating brain and heart 'sparing'. The female placenta weighed less and had lower volumes of trophoblast and fetal connective tissue than the male placenta. Female umbilical cord vessel diameters were smaller, and female-specific relationships of body weight and brain:liver weight ratios with cord vessel diameters indicated that the umbilico-placental vascular system creates a growth-limiting environment where blood flow is redistributed to protect brain and heart growth. Clinico-chemical indicators of liver perfusion support this female-specific growth-limiting phenotype, while lower insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene expression in brain and heart, and lower circulating IGF2, implicate female-specific modulation of key endocrine mediators by nutrient supply. This mode of female development may increase resilience to environmental perturbations in utero and contribute to sex-bias in programming outcomes including susceptibility to non-communicable diseases.

Diagnostic Utility of the CAN Score and Proportionality Indices and Variations in Neutrophil—and Platelet—Lymphocyte Ratios in Fetal Malnutrition

Background: Nutritional status of neonates is best assessed using clinical assessment of nutrition (CAN) score and proportionality indices. The onset of malnutrition that begins in utero, termed fetal malnutrition (FM), can induce a state of inflammation. This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of FM in different classes of births along with analysis of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in cord blood as markers of inflammation. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The proportionality indices—body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI), and CAN score—were calculated. PI &lt;2.2, BMI&lt;11.2 kg/m2, and CAN score &lt;25 were indicators of FM. The Chi-square test was used to test the sensitivity and specificity of CAN score against PI and BMI. Results: A total of 100 term neonates were included, divided into 3 groups: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). Fetal malnutrition was present in 16% of total neonates. The sensitivity and specificity of the CAN score was more than 85% with significant p-value {χ 2 = 33 (PI), χ 2 = 58.8 (BMI)}. Median NLR in FM was 1.63 ± 0.65, significantly ( P &lt; .001) higher than well-nourished neonates. Platelet lymphocyte ratio did not have a significant difference. Clinical assessment of nutrition score showed a positive correlation with maternal ( r = 0.806, P &lt; .001) and neonatal BMI ( r = 0.368, P &lt; .001). Conclusion: Proportionality indices and CAN score can be interchangeably used to diagnose FM. The presence of higher NLR values in neonates with FM suggesting an underlying inflammatory process requires closer follow-up.

How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Maternal and Neonatal Health?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the proportional growth of the fetus, maternal health, and neonatal outcomes. The study group (Group 1) included pregnant women with a history of COVID-19. Pregnant women who were hospitalized during the same period without COVID-19 were the control group (Group 2). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups. A total of 230 pregnant women and their infants were assessed. Group 1 (n = 74) had significantly higher rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension than Group 2 (n = 156; p = 0.015 and 0.014, respectively). Premature birth and cesarean section rates were also significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.001 and 0.040, respectively). While the rate of iatrogenic preterm birth was significantly higher in Group 1, the rate of spontaneous preterm birth was significantly higher in Group 2 (p = 0.049). Infants born to COVID-19-positive mothers had lower median gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the results of cord blood gas analysis (p > 0.05). The rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and need for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in infants of COVID-19-positive mothers (p < 0.05 for both). The length of stay in the NICU was also significantly longer for the infants of COVID-19-positive mothers (p < 0.05). Birth weights decreased due to increased cases of iatrogenic preterm births (p < 0.05). However, ponderal indices (PIs) of newborns of pregnant COVID-19 mothers did not differ at birth (p > 0.05). COVID-19 is associated with low Apgar scores, increased risk of premature birth complications, and maternal comorbidities, with no effect on the PI and proportionate growth of the infant at birth. · No difference in ponderal indices.. · No difference in postnatal cardiovascular adaptation.. · COVID-19 is frequent in pregnant women with comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and hypertension..

Growth Trajectories among Toddlers in Rural Cambodia; Increased Risk for Severe Stunting in Poorer Communities

Objectives: Previous studies of a Cambodian birth cohort showed significant differences in birth weight, ponderal index and head circumference between newborns from two rural communities. The differences were associated with maternal anthropometrics and socioeconomic background, and the smallest babies were born to the mothers from the poorest communities. To see if the differences persisted postnatally, we followed the birth cohort for 18 months to investigate the children’s physical growth and cognitive development.

The association between maternal healthy lifestyle factors during pregnancy and the neonatal anthropometric indicators based on a prospective cohort study.

We aimed to evaluate the associations between a combined healthy lifestyle during the second and third trimesters and offspring anthropometric outcomes in China. We examined these associations among 548 participants from nine community health centers and three hospitals in the North China cohort. A pregnant women's healthy lifestyle score (HLS) was constructed based on six lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet, and gestational weight gain. Anthropometric indicators at birth like birth weight (BW), head circumference (HC), and birth length (BL) were collected, and weight to head circumference ratio (WHC, kg/m), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and Ponderal Index (PI, kg/m3) were calculated. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the effects of HLS during the second and third trimesters on anthropometric outcomes at birth, respectively. In fully adjusted models, we found a negative association between second and third-trimester HLS and offspring HC and a positive relationship between second-trimester HLS and BL (p<0.05). Neonates with mothers in the highest HLS tertile had a 5.6% relatively lower HC and 2.3% relatively longer body length than women in the lowest tertile. Each additional unit in third-trimester HLS had an associated decrease in HC by 0.96 cm. None of the associations between HLS and BW, WHC, BMI, and PI of offspring were observed. A healthy lifestyle score may significantly impact offspring head circumference and body length, supporting the important role of healthy lifestyles in improving the health of offspring.

Determining the Correlation between Cord Blood Lipid Profile and Birth Weight among Term Babies

Aims: This study aimed to examine the association between cord blood lipid levels and neonatal birth weight.&#x0D; Study Design: Hospital based prospective cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Government medical College Nagpur, a tertiary care hospital that provides maternal and child health services between June 2011 to March 2013&#x0D; Methodology: We enrolled 200 healthy pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics in our hospital. We collected 5 mL of cord blood from the umbilical vein and measured the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol using spectrophotometric methods. We calculated LDL cholesterol using Friedewald’s formula, and we measured anthropometric parameters using standard methods.&#x0D; Results: Neonates with SGA had significantly lower birth weight (2.24 ± 0.3 vs 2.83 ± 0.4; P &lt; 0.01), head circumference (31.5 ± 1.5 vs 33.4 ± 1.8; P &lt; 0.04), recumbent length (51.2 ± 0.3 vs 53.6 ± 0.2; P &lt; 0.04), and Ponderal Index (2.24 ± 0.5 vs 2.35 ± 0.2; P &lt; 0.03) than AGA babies. The cord blood lipid profile levels were also significantly lower (P &lt; 0.001) in AGA than SGA babies. There was a positive correlation between birth weight and total cholesterol (r = 0.31; P &lt; 0.001) and triglycerides (r = 0.46; P &lt; 0.001), and a small positive correlation between birth weight and HDL cholesterol (r = 0.157; P = 0.013).&#x0D; Conclusion: SGA babies had significantly higher cord blood lipid profile levels than AGA babies. The lipid profile of umbilical cord blood is related to the fetal nutritional status and growth and development. This may have implications for the prevention and management of low birth weight and its associated complications

Trimester-Specific Urinary Strontium Concentrations during Pregnancy and Longitudinally Assessed Fetal Growth: Findings from a Prospective Cohort

BackgroundStudies have claimed that strontium (Sr) is associated with fetal growth, but the research evidence is insufficient. ObjectivesOur study aimed to evaluate associations of trimester-specific urinary Sr concentrations with fetal growth parameters and birth size indicators. MethodsIn this prospective cohort, 9015 urine samples (first trimester: 3561, 2nd trimester: 2756, 3rd trimester: 2698) from 3810 mothers were measured for urinary Sr levels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and adjusted to urine specific gravity. We calculated standard deviation scores (SD-scores) for ultrasound-measured fetal growth parameters (head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight) at 16, 24, 31, and 37 wk of gestation and birth size indicators (birth weight, birth length, and Ponderal index). Generalized linear models and generalized estimating equations models were used. Models were adjusted for potential covariates (gestational age, maternal age, body mass index, parity, passive smoking during pregnancy, education, folic acid supplements use, physical activity, maternal and paternal height, and infant sex). ResultsPositive associations of naturally logarithm-transformed Sr concentrations with fetal growth parameters and birth size indicators were observed. With each doubling increase in the urinary ln-Sr level in all 3 trimesters resulting in a percent change in SD-scores fetal growth parameters at 24, 31, and 37 wk of gestation and birth size indicators, 5.09%–8.23% in femur length, 7.57%–11.53% in estimated fetal weight, 6.56%–10.42% in abdominal circumference, 6.25% in head circumference, 5.15%–7.85% in birth weight, and 5.71%–9.39% in birth length, respectively. Most of the above statistical results could only be observed in male fetuses. ConclusionsOur findings suggest a potential association between Sr concentration and increased fetal growth, but these results and underlying mechanisms need further confirmation and clarification.

Anthropometric Measurements in Newborns: A Comparative Study of Infants Born to Mothers With and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective Fetal growth can be affected by maternal PCOS and may have an impact on offspring and childhood growth. The current findings across studies are divergent and controversial. This study aims to determine whether maternal PCOS can affect the physical measurements of newborns and to establish the differences in birth weight, length, head, and chest circumference between newborns of mothers with polycystic ovarian syndrome and those of mothers without polycystic ovarian syndrome. Methods In this study, we examined the gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, and ponderal index of 75 infants born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compared them to those of 94 infants born to mothers without PCOS. Result Compared with the other groups, the PCOS group does not show significant differences in anthropometric indices compared to the control group. Infants born to normal and PCOS mothers birth weight were categorized as SGA (small for gestational age) if birth weight was less than the 5thpercentile. LGA is large for gestational age if birth weight is greater than the 90thpercentile. Other appropriate for gestational age if infant birth weight is between> 5thand < 90th percentile. Significant differences in anthropometric indices like birth weight, head circumference, and Ponderal index were observed in SGA and LGA newborns of normal and PCOS mothers. Conclusion The study findings indicate that neonates born to mothers with PCOS have higher rates of SGA and LGA newborns, and differences in anthropometric indices (birth weight, head circumference, and Ponderal index) were observed between SGA and LGA newborns of PCOS mothers.

Trimester-specific exposure to triclocarban during pregnancy: Associations with oxidative stress and size at birth

Triclocarban (TCC) is an extensively used antimicrobial agent that exhibits endocrine disrupt potential, but its effects on fetal growth remain largely unknown. Herein, we measured TCC, its four hydroxylated metabolites and two dechlorination products, as well as the oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in maternal urine samples collected across three trimesters of pregnancy in Wuhan, China. Linear mixed-effect models and multiple linear regression models were applied for correlation analysis. TCC was detected in >97 % of urine samples after conjugate hydrolysis (geometric mean: 0.249–0.335 ng/mL). An interquartile range increase in TCC was associated with a 6.65 % increase in 8-OHdG (95 % confidence interval: 2.15–11.16 %). Urinary TCC in the first trimester was inversely associated with body weight in infant girls, with significant p-value for trend (ptrend = 0.011) across tertiles of TCC concentrations. Urinary 8-OHdG in the third trimester was associated with reduced ponderal index in infant boys (ptrend = 0.020). Urinary levels of TCC correlated well with its transformation products (2′-OH-TCC, 3′-OH-TCC, 6-OH-TCC, 4′-DHC, and DCC). No clear association was found between these metabolites and 8-OHdG, as well as size at birth. Our results revealed the potential exposure risks of TCC during the early life stage, future replications in other populations are needed.

The smaller firstborn: exploring the association of parity and fetal growth.

To investigate the association of parity with a range of neonatal anthropometric measurements in a cohort of uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies. Retrospective cohort study of patients with a singleton term birth at a single tertiary center (2014-2020) was carried out. The primary exposure was parity. The following neonatal anthropometric measures were considered: birthweight, head circumference, length, ponderal index, and neonatal body mass index (BMI). A total of 8134 patients met the study criteria, 1949 (24.0%) of whom were nulliparous. Compared with multiparous patients, infants of nulliparous patients had a lower mean percentile for birthweight (43.1 ± 26.4 vs. 48.3 ± 26.8 percentile, p < 0.001), head circumference (44.3 ± 26.4 vs. 48.1 ± 25.5 percentile, p < 0.001), length (52.6 ± 25.1 vs. 55.5 ± 24.6 percentile, p < 0.001), ponderal index (34.4 ± 24.0 vs. 37.6 ± 24.2 percentile, p < 0.001), and BMI (39.1 ± 27.1 vs. 43.9 ± 27.3 percentile, p < 0.001). In addition, infants of nulliparous patients had higher odds of having a small (< 10th percentile for gestational age) birthweight (aOR 1.32 [95% CI 1.12-1.56]), head circumference (aOR 1.54 [95% CI 1.29-1.84]), length (aOR 1.50 [95% CI 1.16-1.94]), ponderal index (aOR 1.30 [95% CI 1.12-1.51]), and body mass index (aOR 1.42 [95% CI 1.22-1.65]). Most neonatal anthropometric measures increased with parity until a parity of 2, where it seemed to reach a plateau. Parity has an independent impact on a wide range of neonatal anthropometric measures, suggesting that parity is associated with both fetal skeletal growth and body composition. In addition, the association of parity with fetal growth does not follow a continuous relationship but instead reaches a plateau after the second pregnancy.

Assessment of Crown-Heel length, Head Circumference, and Mid-Arm Circumference for Estimation of Small for Gestational Age in Rural Area

Background: The burden of having small for gestational age (SGA) children is high in low- and middle-income countries, mainly in South Asia. Identifying these low birth weight and SGA infants and referring them to higher centers for effective intervention will help reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. Anthropometric measurements of the neonatal population, especially birth weight measurements, constitute an important scientific research tool for studying the determinants and consequences of impaired or excessive fetal growth. Objective: To find an alternative anthropometric procedure, the present study was done to measure and compare birth weight with crown heel length (CHL), head circumference (HC), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as predictors of birth weight in small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur from July 2020 to June 2021 on 200 newborns of both sexes with gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks. The newborn was selected and measured within 24 hours of birth. 100 term newborns weighted &lt;2.5 kg regarded as SGA were the subjects of the study. Another 100-term newborns weighted &gt;2.5 kg regarded as AGA served as control. The birth weight, head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and crown heel length were measured and a comparison of all the variables was done between AGA and SGA newborns. Data was analyzed by using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 26). Result: The mean± SD of birth weight in AGA and SGA groups was 2.99 ±0.31 and 2.10±0.24 respectively; it was observed that the mean± SD of crown heel length, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference and Ponderal index in AGA group was significantly higher than SGA group; however the MAC/HC ratio was almost similar between AGA and SGA groups. All the above variables were significantly correlated with birth weight in both AGA and SGA groups. Conclusion: Some simple and inexpensive measurements of newborns especially the head circumference of SGA newborns are as effective as birth weight measurement; crown heel length, and mid-upper arm circumference could also be used to predict birth weight in SGA newborns. J Rang Med Col. September 2023; Vol. 8, No. 2: 14-19

The relationships between body mass index, reciprocal ponderal index, waist-to-height ratio, and fitness in young adult males.

Anthropometric measures such as the body mass index (BMI), reciprocal ponderal index (RPI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) have been proposed as predictors of physical fitness. This study aimed to identify the differences in explanatory capacity and fit of BMI, RPI, and WHR on physical fitness, which involves jumping, sprinting, change of direction, and aerobic capacity, by adjusting the polynomial regression. A sample of 297 healthy, recreationally active male university students between 18 and 20 years old was recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements (height: 174.09 ± 6.27 cm, weight: 78.98 ± 20.27 kg, waist circumference: 93.74 ± 14.56 cm) were taken for each participant. Jumping tests (squat jump, countermovement jump), sprinting tests (20 m sprint), agility tests (agility T-test), and aerobic/endurance tests (6 min walk test, VAM-EVAL test) were performed. Nonlinear quadratic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the jump, sprint, and fitness test scores and the anthropometric indices. The models were compared based on R-squares and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that all the indices predicted a portion of the variance because all variables and index relationships were significant. Regarding the fitted models, the Bayesian Information Criterion showed that BMI was the best indicator of performance, although the RPI was better for VO2max. These findings may be of great interest to practitioners because it appears that anthropometric measures can be used to predict physical fitness in certain tests although the accuracy raises any concerns.

Role of anthropometric indices as a screening tool for predicting metabolic syndrome among apparently healthy individuals of Karachi, Pakistan.

Anthropometric indices are affordable and non-invasive methods for screening metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, determining the most effective index for screening can be challenging. To investigate the accuracy of anthropometric indices as a screening tool for predicting MetS among apparently healthy individuals in Karachi, Pakistan. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2022 to August 2022. A total of 1,065 apparently healthy individuals aged 25 years and above were included. MetS was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation guidelines. Anthropometric indices were defined based on body mass index (BMI), neck circumference (NC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), conicity index, reciprocal ponderal index (RPI), body shape index (BSI), and visceral adiposity index (VAI). The analysis involved the utilization of Pearson's correlation test and independent t-test to examine inferential statistics. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also applied to evaluate the predictive capacities of various anthropometric indices regarding metabolic risk factors. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) was computed, and the chosen anthropometric indices' optimal cutoff values were determined. All anthropometric indices, except for RPI in males and BSI in females, were significantly higher in MetS than those without MetS. VAI [AUC 0.820 (95% CI 0.78-0.86)], WC [AUC 0.751 (95% CI 0.72-0.79)], WHtR [AUC 0.732 (95% CI 0.69-0.77)], and BMI [AUC 0.708 (95% CI 0.66-0.75)] had significantly higher AUC for predicting MetS in males, whereas VAI [AUC 0.693 (95% CI 0.64-0.75)], WHtR [AUC 0.649 (95% CI 0.59-0.70)], WC [AUC 0.646 (95% CI 0.59-0.61)], BMI [AUC 0.641 (95% CI 0.59-0.69)], and MUAC [AUC 0.626 (95% CI 0.57-0.68)] had significantly higher AUC for predicting MetS in females. The AUC of NC for males was 0.656 (95% CI 0.61-0.70), while that for females was 0.580 (95% CI 0.52-0.64). The optimal cutoff points for all anthropometric indices exhibited a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in predicting the onset of MetS. BMI, WC, WHtR, and VAI were the most important anthropometric predictors for MetS in apparently healthy individuals of Pakistan, while BSI was found to be the weakest indicator.