THE MEASUREMENT OF NEONATES

Accurate measurements of both healthy and premature neonates are possi ble but rarely performed. Routine anthropometry is often not performed at all or with large measurement errors due to inadequate training of personnel or inappropriate equipment. Sick neonates are often conside red unsuitable for anthropometry and growth is wrongly equated with we ight gain. Gain in length may be disturbed by poor health and permanen t extrauterine growth retardation and changes in body proportions indu ced in some survivors of neonatal intensive care. Drug treatments may have profound effects on length gain and the relationship of length to weight.