[Current percentile curves for body weight, body length and head circumference of newborn infants after the 25th week of pregnancy].

Up-to-date regional standard curves of birth weight, body length and head circumference have been derived from a survey of perinatal data (Perinatalerhebung) including 96.3% of all neonates born in 1988/89 in an area of northern Germany (westfalian districts of Münster, Detmold and Arnsberg). After exclusion of nongerman neonates, multiple births and those with doubtful date, complete data of 129,858 neonates (including 410 prematures of 25-28 gestational weeks) were evaluated. Mathematical analysis resulted in standard curves reliable between the 25 and 42 gestational weeks and between the 3rd and 97th percentile. Mean male birth weight at 40 weeks was 3612 g versus 3469 g in females. The normal range for boys was 2800-4500 g, and 2650-4350 g for girls. Irrespective of sex, mean body length of term neonates was 52.3 cm (48-57), mean head circumference was 35.2 cm (33-38). We suggest the use of these standard curves for newborns in northern Germany.