ACCURACY OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN PREDICTING SYMPTOMATIC SGAAND LGA NEONATES

Mid-arm circumference, mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio, ponderal index and skinfold thickness at five sites (biceps, triceps, quadriceps, subscapular and flank) were measured in 91 small-for-gest ational-age (SGA) and 101 large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates to investigate their accuracy in identifying neonates at high risk of com plications resulting from disturbed intrauterine growth. Thirty-one of 91 SGA and 19 of 101 LGA neonates who developed hypoglycaemia and/or polycythaemia were regarded as symptomatic. Mean values of all of the anthropometric parameters differed significantly between symptomatic a nd asymptomatic SGA or LGA neonates. The quadriceps skinfold thickness was the most sensitive index in predicting symptomatic SGA and LGA ne onates (sensitivity 0.93 and 0.95, respectively). The mid-arm circumfe rence was also a very sensitive index in predicting symptomatic SGA ne onates (sensitivity 0.94) but its specificity was extremely low (0.20) . The rest of the parameters showed lower sensitivity than quadriceps skinfold thickness associated with similarly low specificity and valid ity. The findings of this study indicate that the quadriceps skinfold thickness is the most reliable index for use as a screening test for c linical evaluation of SGA and LGA neonates who are likely to develop c omplications as a result of disturbed intrauterine nutrition.