INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-CURVES OF WEIGHT, LENGTH, AND HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE FOR A PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC INFANT POPULATION

The purpose of this study was to develop intrauterine growth curves in a predominantly Hispanic population of low socioeconomic status near sea level and to compare them with published intrauterine growth curve s. Infants born at Los Angeles County-University of Southern Californi a Medical Center provided the study population. Gestational age was de termined by maternal history and confirmed by Ballard clinical assessm ent in 6,100 infants. Growth curves were developed for weight, length, and head circumference from 24 through 44 weeks gestation. The intrau terine curves were similar to those developed from white non-Hispanic births in California and from white middle class infants born in Portl and, OR. The Los Angeles curves differed from other curves developed i n Denver, CO, where the infants were significantly smaller from the 34 th week of gestation.The authors found no adverse effects on intrauter ine growth by race or socioeconomic status. The curves presented in th is paper are more appropriate than the Denver curves for white populat ions born near sea level regardless of socioeconomic status.