Measurement of Chest Circumference of Newborn as an Indicator of Birth Wight in Omdurman Maternity Hospital-Sudan

Abstract

Measurement of birth weight is the most important determinant of neonatal well being; and is important for growth follow up. In Sudan ٦٠-٨٠٪ of deliveries are conducted by midwives at home, where weighing scales are not available; so midwives need a simple cheap method for calculating birth weight. This was a cross sectional hospital based study conducted in Omdurman Maternity Hospital during the period from June ٢٠٠٤ to January ٢٠٠٥. The objectives of the study were to: ١) determine birth weight (Wt) and chest circumference(CC) for normal and low birth weight babies. ٢) study socio demographic correlates. ٣) Compare and correlate chest circumference, mid upper arm circumference(MUAC) and head circumference(HC) in relation to birth weight. Precoded questionnaires were completed, anthropometric measurements (Wt, CC,HC,MUAC) were taken. ٥٠٠٠ newborns with their mothers(٤٩٠١) were included. The male: female ratio was ٥١٫٨:٤٨٫٢, the mean (+SD) male birth weight was ٣٫٢٤٩ (+٠٫٤٨) kg while the mean (+SD) female birth weight was ٣٫١٤٩(+٠٫٤٧) kg. The prevalence of low birth weight was ٨٩٫٢/١٠٠٠. The socio demographic and socio economic status of the family had no direct influence on birth weight, but it seem to accumulate and have an additives effect on birth weight i.e. working together. Maternal height had direct relation with birth weight, (r =.٩٠٣, P<٠٫٠٥). All anthropometric measurements (MUAC, HC and CC) had a positive correlation with birth weight (r =٠٫٨١, ٠٫٨٨ and ٠٫٩٠٢ respectively). It was concluded that the chest circumference is the best predictor for birth weight and the easiest, cheapest and most reliable method to be used by midwives at homes /hospitals where weighing scales are not available