scholarly journals Study of foot length as an alternate measurement for assessment of gestational maturity in neonates

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananya S. L. Tenali ◽  
Ravi Kumar Tenali

Background: The aim was to study neonatal foot length as a simple method for quick gestational age assessment which can be done by basic healthcare personnel overcoming the technicality required by other assessment methods.Methods: Prospective descriptive study was done. Live born neonates at Saveetha Medical College, Kanchipuram from June 2016 to June2017 were enrolled. Gestational age was assessed by New Ballard’s Scoring and footlength was measured using the paddle blades of automated digital Vernier calipers within 24 hours while birth weight was taken within 72 hours of birth. Based on gestational age, babies were grouped into preterm, term and post term and were subclassified as small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) based on Lubchenco’s intrauterine growth chart. Correlation and regression analysis and Scattergram was done.Results: Out of 300 neonates, term, preterm and post-term were 70.3%,28.3% and1.3% while SGA, AGA, and LGA babies were 9%, 88% and 3%. Mean foot length was 7.728cm±0.59 with a range of 5-8.8cm. Foot length strongly correlated with gestational age in Preterm AGA, SGA and Term AGA babies (<0.001). Correlation coefficient of foot length with gestational age was higher in preterms (r=0.95). Gestational age in 54% of study population could be calculated with the derived regression equation derived.Conclusions: Foot length maybe useful for quick estimation of gestational age in preterm and term neonates for early referral of newborns requiring special care and can even be done by basic healthcare personnel.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 184-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Mendez-Figueroa ◽  
Van Truong ◽  
Claudia Pedroza ◽  
Suneet Chauhan

Objective We hypothesized that utilization of a twin-specific nomograms, when compared with one based on singleton data, is less likely to classify twins as having abnormal growth and more likely to identify perinatal morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods Data were culled from seven Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) studies, the included twin gestations in their study population. Each newborn twin's birth weight percentile was categorized using Alexander et al (singleton data) and Ananth et al (twin data) nomogram. Logistic regression models were adjusted for maternal race and body mass index, neonatal sex, study, and twin correlation. Results More twins were categorized as small for gestational age (SGA) when singleton nomogram was used (33%) compared with twin nomogram (4%). The use of singleton nomogram revealed a higher composite neonatal morbidity (CNM) and stillbirth rates among SGA twins but a similar neonatal mortality rate when compared with appropriate for gestational age. Correspondingly, when twin-specific nomogram was utilized, the CNM, odds of stillbirth, and neonatal mortality were higher among SGA twins. The rate of large for gestational age among twins was increased with the use of twin-specific nomograms. Conclusion Utilization of twin-specific nomogram is less likely to categorize twins as SGA and more likely to identify those at risk for stillbirth and neonatal mortality.


Author(s):  
Ila R Falcão ◽  
Rita de Cássia Ribeiro-Silva ◽  
Marcia Furquim de Almeida ◽  
Rosemeire L Fiaccone ◽  
Natanael J Silva ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Evidence points to diverse risk factors associated with small- (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births. A more comprehensive understanding of these factors is imperative, especially in vulnerable populations. Objectives To estimate the occurrence of and sociodemographic factors associated with SGA and LGA births in poor and extremely poor populations of Brazil. Methods The study population consisted of women of reproductive age (14–49 y), whose last child was born between 2012 and 2015. INTERGROWTH 21st consortium criteria were used to classify weight for gestational age according to sex. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was performed to investigate associations of interest. Results Of 5,521,517 live births analyzed, SGA and LGA corresponded to 7.8% and 17.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed greater odds of SGA in children born to women who self-reported as black (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.22), mixed-race (parda) (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.09), or indigenous (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.15), were unmarried (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.08), illiterate (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.52), did not receive prenatal care (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.53, 1.60), or were aged 14–20 y (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.22) or 35–49 y (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.13). Considering LGA children, higher odds were found in infants born to women living in households with ≥3 inadequate housing conditions (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.12), in indigenous women (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.25), those who had 1–3 y of schooling (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.19), 1–3 prenatal visits (OR: 1.16; CI 95%: 1.14, 1.17), or were older (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.27). Conclusions In poorer Brazilian populations, socioeconomic, racial, and maternal characteristics are consistently associated with the occurrence of SGA births, but remain less clearly linked to the occurrence of LGA births.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-441
Author(s):  
Joan E. Hodgman ◽  
Paul Y. K. Wu ◽  
Nathaniel B. White ◽  
Dolores A. Bryla

The infant who is small for gestational age (SGA) is more mature at birth than similar weight infants who are appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Whether the SGA infant behaves as does the larger gestationally equivalent infant, or whether there are specific changes related to intrauterine growth retardation is a matter of some interest in the understanding of the special needs of these infants. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) phototherapy study provided a large newborn population for whom birth weight, gestational age at birth, and, thereby, intrauterine growth were carefully assessed. Infants who weighed 2,000 g or more at birth were included in the study only when they became jaundiced, whereas infants who weighed less than 2,000 g at birth were routinely entered into the study. Consequently, this report will be limited to the lowbirth-weight population selected by birth weight. Too few SGA babies were present in the groups with greater birth weight to allow meaningful comparisons. PATIENT SELECTIQN All infants whose birth weight was less than 2,000 g were entered into the study at 24 ± 12 hours. Those excluded from the study were: (1) infants who died before 24 hours, (2) infants with serious congenital defects, and (3) infants whose mothers refused consent for study. The study population consisted of 922 infants surviving at 24 hours. Gestational age was calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period obtained from maternal history and also by the evaluation techniques of Dubowitz.25 Intrauterine growth was determined by plotting birth weight and gestational age on the Denver Intrauterine Growth Curves8; infants below the 10th percentile were considered SGA.


1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen E. Hofmann ◽  
Ch. V. Rao ◽  
Fred R. Carman ◽  
Tariq A. Siddiqi

Abstract. Specific binding of 125I-human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) to homogenates of term human placentas and fetal membranes from normal and appropriate for gestational age (N = 20), intrauterine growth retarded (N = 9), twin (N = 11), White class A/B diabetic (N = 12), and large for gestational age (N = 13) pregnancies was measured. In all pregnancy states, placentas bound approximately four times more 125I-hEGF than did fetal membranes (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in 125I-hEGF binding to fetal membranes from the various pregnancy states (P > 0.05). 125I-hEGF specific binding to placentas from intrauterine growth retarded or twin pregnancies was significantly greater compared with placentas from normal and appropriate for gestational age pregnancies (P < 0.05). The binding to placentas from pregnancies complicated by White class A/B diabetes or large for gestational age infants, on the other hand, was not significantly different from that to placentas from normal and appropriate for gestational age pregnancies. 125I-hEGF specific binding did not differ between placentas from intrauterine growth retarded or twin pregnancies (P > 0.05). Placental and fetal membrane 125I-hEGF binding did not vary with fetal sex, maternal race, placental weight, or gestational age between 37 to 42 weeks (P > 0.05). Placental but not fetal membrane 125I-hEGF binding increased with increasing infant weight when appropriate for gestational age and large for gestational age infants were included (P < 0.05, r = 0.38, N = 32) but not for intrauterine growth retarded, appropriate for gestational age, or large for gestational age infants alone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
José G. B. Derraik ◽  
Sarah E. Maessen ◽  
John D. Gibbins ◽  
Wayne S. Cutfield ◽  
Maria Lundgren ◽  
...  

AbstractWhile there is evidence that being born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life, the data are conflicting. Thus, we aimed to examine the associations between proportionality at birth and later obesity risk in adulthood. This was a retrospective study using data recorded in the Swedish Birth Register. Anthropometry in adulthood was assessed in 195,936 pregnant women at 10–12 weeks of gestation. All women were born at term (37–41 weeks of gestation). LGA was defined as birth weight and/or length ≥2.0 SDS. Women were separated into four groups: appropriate-for-gestational-age according to both weight and length (AGA – reference group; n = 183,662), LGA by weight only (n = 4,026), LGA by length only (n = 5,465), and LGA by both weight and length (n = 2,783). Women born LGA based on length, weight, or both had BMI 0.12, 1.16, and 1.08 kg/m2 greater than women born AGA, respectively. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) of obesity was 1.50 times higher for those born LGA by weight and 1.51 times for LGA by both weight and height. Length at birth was not associated with obesity risk. Similarly, women born LGA by ponderal index had BMI 1.0 kg/m2 greater and an aRR of obesity 1.39 times higher than those born AGA. Swedish women born LGA by weight or ponderal index had an increased risk of obesity in adulthood, irrespective of their birth length. Thus, increased risk of adult obesity seems to be identifiable from birth weight and ignoring proportionality.


2008 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C. P. Franco ◽  
Dulce E. Casarini ◽  
Marcela S. Carneiro-Ramos ◽  
Ana L. Sawaya ◽  
Maria L. M. Barreto-Chaves ◽  
...  

There have been only a few reports on the sympathoadrenal and renin–angiotensin systems in children of small gestational age. The purpose of the present study was to investigate plasma levels of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) activity, angiotensin and catecholamines in 8- to 13-year-old children and to determine whether there are correlations between the components of these systems with both birthweight and BP (blood pressure) levels. This clinical study included 66 children (35 boys and 31 girls) in two groups: those born at term with an appropriate birthweight [AGA (appropriate-for-gestational age) group, n=31] and those born at term but with a small birthweight for gestational age [SGA (small-for-gestational age) group, n=35]. Concentrations of angiotensin, catecholamines and ACE activity were determined in plasma. Circulating noradrenaline levels were significantly elevated in SGA girls compared with AGA girls (P=0.036). In addition, angiotensin II and ACE activity were higher in SGA boys (P=0.024 and P=0.050 respectively). There was a significant association of the circulating levels of both angiotensin II and ACE activity with BP levels in our study population. Although the underlying mechanisms that link restricted fetal growth with later cardiovascular events are not fully understood, the findings in the present study support the link between low birthweight and overactivity of both sympathoadrenal and renin–angiotensin systems into later childhood.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Lewandowska ◽  
Jan Lubiński

Excessive birth weight has serious perinatal consequences, and it “programs” long-term health. Mother’s nutritional status can be an important element in fetal “programming”; microelements such as selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) are involved in many metabolic processes. However, there are no studies assessing the relationship of the microelements in the peri-conceptual period with the risk of excessive birth weight. We performed a nested case control study of serum microelements’ levels in the 10–14th week of pregnancy and assessed the risk of large-for-gestational age (LGA) newborns using the data from a prospective cohort of pregnant women recruited in 2015–2016 in Poznań, Poland. Mothers delivering LGA newborns (n = 66) were examined with matched mothers delivering appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) newborns (n = 264). Microelements’ levels were quantified using mass spectrometry. The odds ratios of LGA (and 95% confidence intervals) were calculated by multivariate logistic regression. In the whole group, women with the lowest quartile of Se had a 3 times higher LGA risk compared with women in the highest Se quartile (AOR = 3.00; p = 0.013). Importantly, the result was sustained in the subgroup of women with the normal pre-pregnancy BMI (AOR = 4.79; p = 0.033) and in women with a male fetus (AOR = 6.28; p = 0.004), but it was not sustained in women with a female fetus. There were no statistical associations between Zn, Cu, and Fe levels and LGA. Our study provides some preliminary evidence for the relationships between lower serum Se levels in early pregnancy and a higher risk of large-for-gestational age birth weight. Appropriate Se intake in the periconceptual period may be important for optimal fetal growth.


1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (01) ◽  
pp. 047-050 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Dube ◽  
R K Dube ◽  
V Bhargava ◽  
J K Kolindewala ◽  
V L N Kota ◽  
...  

SummaryThe present study comprises of 208 term, 159 preterm and 18 post-term neonates born to mothers with no history of drug intake or any disease likely to effect coagulation of the newborn. PT, TT and KCCT were relatively prolonged and plasma fibrinogen reduced to varying degree in newborns (as compared to adults). There was further prolongation of TT and reduction in plasma fibrinogen levels amongst preterm newborns as compared to term babies; TT was more prolonged amongst post-term babies also. PT was significantly more prolonged till 30 weeks of gestation, after which a near plateau was formed. KCCT showed significant improvement after 33 weeks and a further trend to normalisation after 38 weeks of gestation. Serum FDP values showed too much of variation for any meaningful statistical analysis but generally FDPs were higher in preterm babies. Intrauterine growth rate had no significant effect on these parameters amongst preterms -similar values for SGA (small for gestational age), AGA (appropriate for gestational age) and LGA (large for gestational age). On the other hand, amongst term babies SGA neonates had significantly prolonged PT and low plasma fibrinogen as compared to AGA; LGA babies also showed more prolongation of TT as compared to AGA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (12) ◽  
pp. 1284-1291

Background: Growth assessment including birth weight, length, and head circumference is important to identify infants at risk. However, using international growth curves may be inappropriate for growth assessment of Thai neonates. Objective: To generate a growth chart of infants at the Phramongkutklao Hospital (PMK), and to compare PMK’s growth chart assessment with other international growth charts. Materials and Methods: The authors generated a PMK growth chart from PMK’s newborn database between 2007 and 2016. Birth weight of infants born in 2017 was assessed by using the PMK growth chart in comparison with the Fenton, Lubchenco and Intergrowth Twenty-first growth charts. Results: To generate a PMK growth chart, 22,926 infants were enrolled to the present study. Comparing with other international growth charts, the Fenton exhibited a higher ninetieth percentile of birth weight than others, especially at gestational age of 36 to 41 weeks. In contrast, the Lubchenco exhibited the lowest tenth percentile of birth weight. In 2017, 2,314 infants were born and evaluated by using the PMK, the Fenton, the Lubchenco, and the Intergrowth-21st growth charts. Large for gestational age (LGA) was identified in 185 (8.64%), 55 (2.57%), 166 (7.75%) and 166 (7.75%) infants, respectively. In contrast, small for gestational age (SGA) was identified in 220 (10.27%), 228 (10.64%), 34 (1.59%) and 148 (6.91%) infants, respectively. The admission rate of infants diagnosed as LGA by PMK, but appropriate for gestational age (AGA) by Fenton was higher than other AGA infants. Conclusion: The PMK reference of neonatal growth is up-to-date and applicable. Growth assessment using the Fenton growth chart at late preterm and term gestations may be inaccurate to identify LGA infants. In contrast, the Lubchenco growth chart has limitation to identify SGA infants. Data accumulation from multi-centers at different regions of Thailand are warranted to generate a Thai neonatal growth reference. Keywords: Growth curve, Neonatal growth, Large for gestational age, Small for gestational age


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