Comparisons of Yupik infant growth measurements with NCHS/CDC reference data.

ABSTRACT

The National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth reference is routinely used to monitor Yupik infant growth although Yupiks are ethnically different from the population from which the reference was developed. To clarify interpretation of Yupik infant growth data for clinical practice and public health assessment, Yupik infant growth measurements were compared with this reference. From 1990 through 1992 a convenience survey of 555 Yupik infants was completed in pediatric clinics in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska. Data was analyzed using Z-score distributions of height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height and head circumference-for-age percentiles based on the growth reference. At birth, Yupik neonates had significantly greater height-for-age and weight-for-age than the National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference. Between 1 and 12 months, Yupik infants had significantly greater weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and head circumference-for-age than the growth reference.