Current status of infant growth measurements in the perinatal period in India.

Analysis of currently available information in the Indian literature on the present status of fetal growth measuring birthweight and gestation distribution, and the intra-uterine growth potential of the fetus has pointed to several interesting findings. The incidence of low birthweight is 24-39% and of preterms, 7-22%. In general the process of labour seems to begin at an stage of earlier gestation. A significant proportion of infants that are born with birth weight between -1 SD and -2 SD show high morbidity and mortality, suggesting the need for them to be categorized as a distinct group. The early neonatal mortality varies between 1.5 and 8.4%. The results show a wide variation between hospital and community care, and between privileged and underprivileged. Logistic problems prevent the recording of birth weight at home or in the community. Recent observations reveal that mid-arm circumference (MAC) of newborns has a strong correlation with birth weight and neonatal mortality. MAC can be reliably used to assess fetal growth and for screening high-risk neonates in community care.