Neonatal Maximum Thigh Circumference Tape: An Alternative Indicator of Low Birth Weight.

Abstract

Background: The birth weight of an infant is a significant determinant of morbidity. Birth weight measurement is not always feasible in developing countries thus necessitating alternative measurements as surrogates. 

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the most appropriate maximum thigh cir cumference (MTC) measurements corresponding to birth weights of <2500g and <2000g re spectively, and to propose the design of a standardized tricoloured MTC Tape to identify low birth weight (LBW) neonates promptly, for appropriate intervention.

Methods: Anthropometric measurements were carried out on 788 neonates within 24 hours of delivery. The MTC measurements were then correlated with other anthropometric values. Based on the results obtained, a maximum thigh circumference tape that would be capable of distinguishing neonates with birth weights <2500g and < 2000g, respectively, was proposed.

Results: The mean MTC of the neonates increased as the birth weights (F statistics = 80.66; p<0.0001) and gestational ages increased (F statistics = 136.73; p<0.001). A strongly positive correlation was obtained between birth weight and MTC (r=0.95; p<0.0001) with a regression equation of y=8.25 +0.003x, followed by MAC (r=0.86), length (r=0.85), gestational age (r=0.66) and OFC (r=0.64). MTC values of $15.5cm and <14.9cm had the best combination of sensitivity and specificity for predicting newborns with birth weights of <2500g and <2000g, respectively.

Conclusion: Using the cut-off values obtained, the neonates were categorized into three risk groups (“high risk”, "moderate risk”, and “low disk”), and a tricoloured MTC Tape was subsequently designed, using these inferences.

Keywords: Maximum thigh circumference, low birth weight, indicator.