UP-TO-DATE STANDARD CURVES OF BIRTH-WEIGH T, BODY LENGTH AND HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE OF NEONATES BETWEEN 25 AND 42 GESTATIONAL WEEKS

Up-to-date regional standard curves of birth weight, body length and h ead circumference have been derived from a survey of perinatal data (P erinatalerhebung) including 96.3% of all neonates born in 1988/89 in a n area of northern Germany (westfalian districts of Munster, Detmold a nd Arnsberg). After exclusion of nongerman neonates, multiple births a nd those with doubtful date, complete data of 129,858 neonates (includ ing 410 prematures of 25-28 gestational weeks) were evaluated. Mathema tical analysis resulted in standard curves reliable between the 25 and 42 gestational weeks and between the 3rd and 97th percentile. Mean ma le birth weight at 40 weeks was 3612 g versus 3469 g in females. The n ormal range for boys was 2800-4500 g, and 2650-4350 g for girls. Irres pective of sex, mean body length of term neonates was 52,3 cm (48-5 7) , mean head circumference was 35.2 cm (33-38). We suggest the use of t hese standard curves for newborns in northern Germany.