Authors : Meghali M. Joharapurkar1 andRekha Sharma2
Page Nos : 255-262
Description :
Anthropometric measurements of newborns infants determine the overall foetal
development. The present investigation was undertaken to study the anthropometric
measurements of neonates born in Private Maternity Hospitals (PMH) and Government
Medical Hospitals (GMH). 500 pregnant mothers in the third trimester were selected
from private (PMH= 285) and government (GMH= 215) hospitals. Data was collected
using questionnaire- cum- interview schedule. Anthropometric measurements viz; birth
weight (BW), crown heel length (CHL), head circumference (HC), chest circumference
(CC) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured by standard techniques
within the 24 hours of the birth. The results of the study showed the majority of PMH
(55.09%) and GMH (50.70%) mothers delivered male child. The mean BW, CHL, HC,
CC, and MUAC of PMH newborns were 2.82±0.37 kg, 49.47±1.13cm, 33.24±1.51 cm,
30.96±1.30 cm and 9.71±1.04 whereas for GMH newborns were 2.51 ± 0.43 Kg, 48.02
±1.53 cm, 32.45 ±1.57 cm, 30.34 ±1.22 cm and 9.08 ±1.14 cm respectively. All the
mean anthropometric measurements of male infants PMH and GMH were significantly
(P<0.01) higher than that of female infants. Similarly all mean anthropometric
measurements of infants born in private hospitals were significantly (P<0.01) higher
than that of born in government hospitals. Per capita income of PMH and GMH infants
were found to be positively and significantly (p<0.01) correlated with all neonatal
anthropometry.
Keywords
Birth weight, Crown heel length, Head circumference, Chest circumference, Mid upper
arm circumference.
