Changes in birth weight, birth length and head circumference of Hungarian children in the county Baranya between 1968 and 1979-1981.

Possible secular changes of newborn's body measurements were investigated in a cross-sectional growth study in the County Baranya (South Hungary) in 1979-1981. The total sample includes 2,130 children. The results were compared with those obtained by Fekete et al. (1968, 1974) in the same region on 3,567 neonates. During the 12-years interval the birth weight increased slightly. The head circumference did not change in girls, but decreased slightly in boys. The birth length values could not be evaluated because of technical reasons. According to the present results secular changes in the body measurements of the newborns could not be seen during the investigated period. The fetal growth standard values ascertained by Fekete et al. (1968, 1974) are still suitable. A repeated anthropometric investigation of newborns is necessary in the near future.