Evaluation of two standards of arm/head ratios in neonatal nutritional assessment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the percentage agreement between two standards of arm/head ratios in neonatal nutritional assessment.

DESIGN

The nutritional status of newborn infants was determined using a standard of arm/head ratio on gestational age and another standard of arm/head ratio on birthweight. The two assessments were then compared for percentage agreement in the study sample and in sub-groups of birthweight categories.

SETTING

Newborn Unit, Specialist Hospital, Yola, Nigeria.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and seventy two neonates including 74 low birthweight infants and 198 infants with birthweight > or = 2.5 kg.

INTERVENTIONS

The nutritional status of each infant was determined, using the two standards of arm/head ratios. The percentage agreement between the two methods was investigated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Neonatal nutritional status (malnourished and well-nourished) and percentage agreement between methods.

RESULTS

In the study sample of 272 infants, the percentage agreement was 94.1%. In the sub-group of low birthweight infants, the percentage agreement was 83.8% while in the larger infants, it was 89.9%.

CONCLUSION

This report is a further confirmation of the clinical usefulness of the newer standard of arm/head ratio on birthweight in neonatal nutritional assessment. It is particularly recommended for its independence of precise maturity determination.