Prediction of birth weight from simple anthropometric measurements in Indian male and female new born babies.

ABSTRACT

An attempt has been made in this paper to select suitable combination of predictors of birth weight from three anthropometric measurements (viz. length, head and chest circumferences) taken at birth of Indian male and female new born babies. The best combination of predictors was selected by examining the separate effects of each of the three concomitant variables on birth weight using the technique of multivariate regression analysis. The combination of head and chest circumferences was found to be the most appropriate for estimation of birth weight in view of the simplicity and non-invasiveness of measuring these two body circumferences. Keeping in view of the high multiple correlations, nomograms have been constructed to predict birth weights from head and chest circumferences in male and female new born babies. These nomograms will serve well as a simple and quick methods for predicting birth weight from head and chest circumferences in Indian male and female new born babies whenever the Direct weighing at birth is not feasible.