Anthropometrics of Normal Newborn Infants in Uromi, Edo State

Abstract

This study aims to establish anthropologic norms among normal newborn in Uromi, Esanland, Nigeria. Measurements of weight in kilograms, length (cm), occipitofrontal and suboccipitobregmatic head circumferences (cm) of 180 newborn infants comprising 100 males and 80 females of normal birth weight were made 15-30 minutes after birth. Weight was measured using beam scale, while the others were measured using a tape rule. These measurements were carried out at Saint Camillus Hospital Uromi. The mean birth weight for males is 3.099 kg + 0.350 while that of females is 3.061kg + 0.333. The mean occipitofrontal head circumference for males is 33.40cm + 2.093 while that of is 33.462cm + 2.321. The mean suboccipitobregmatic head circumference for males is 30.82cm + 1.955 and for females 30.475cm + 1.841. The mean length for males is 47.49cm + 3.904 and for females 46.775cm + 3.645. The bmi (kg/square metre) for males is 13.969 + 2.583 and for females 14.166 + 2.302, the ratio of occipitofrontal head circumference to length for males is 0.708 + 0.075 and for females 0.718 + 0.062. The ratio of suboccipitobregmatic to occipitofrontal head circumference for males is 0.923 + 0.034 and for females 0.912 + 0.049.  The mean birth weights is lower than the value for USA (3.4kg) but higher than the value obtained in India (2.9 kg + 0.2), it is higher than that obtained in other parts of Nigeria. The mean lengths are lower than the values obtained in USA (45-55cm), and India (50-52cm). The mean occipitofrontal head circumference was found to be lower than the in India and USA (35cm) but agrees with values obtained elsewhere in Nigeria. This work apart from documenting for the first time the BMI and ratios of head circumferences and lengths of infants in Nigeria hopes to enrich the existing information globally.