Publication:

Body mass index values for term newborns and its correlation with other anthropometric surrogates

Background Body mass index is a better tool as it relates two anthropometric measures - Weight and Length. This study aims at identifying the mean BMI in term new-borns in Asian population and also the correlation between BMI and other anthropometric surrogates for birth weight.

Methods Cross Sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital by taking anthropometric measurements for 339 consecutive term newborns, born in the institution. Mean BMI was 11.784 ±1.7. Moderate Positive correlation was observed between BMI and Mid Arm Circumference (r= +0.401; P=0.000).

Results The cut off value for BMI to identify LBW was 13. Mid Arm Circumference, Chest circumference and Head circumference correlated well with BMI.

Conclusions By trial and error method of analysis we recommend BMI value of 13 as a cut off for identifying low birth weight infants. BMI is seen to be better than Birth weight in assessing body proportion of a new born.