Intrauterine growth curves of weight, length, and head circumference for a predominantly Hispanic infant population.

The purpose of this study was to develop intrauterine growth curves in a predominantly Hispanic population of low socioeconomic status near sea level and to compare them with published intrauterine growth curves. Infants born at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center provided the study population. Gestational age was determined by maternal history and confirmed by Ballard clinical assessment in 6,100 infants. Growth curves were developed for weight, length, and head circumference from 24 through 44 weeks gestation. The intrauterine curves were similar to those developed from white non-Hispanic births in California and from white middle class infants born in Portland, OR. The Los Angeles curves differed from other curves developed in Denver, CO, where the infants were significantly smaller from the 34th week of gestation. The authors found no adverse effects on intrauterine growth by race or socioeconomic status. The curves presented in this paper are more appropriate than the Denver curves for white populations born near sea level regardless of socioeconomic status.