Estimation of Gestational Age Using Neonatal Anatomical Anthropometric Parameters in Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction

Estimation of gestational age is a key for the identification of a given low birth weight neonate is either preterm or growth retarded.

Objective

To estimate gestational age from neonatal anatomical anthropometric parameters in Dessie Referral Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods

Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed in Dessie Referral Hospital from October 2019 to April 2020, with 424 consecutively live-born of 28–42 weeks of gestation. After considering the inclusion criteria, neonatal anthropometric parameters were measured within 3 days of birth. Foot length, hand length, mid-upper arm circumference, head circumference, crown-heel length, intermammary distance, umbilical nipple distance, and birth weight were measured and summarized using descriptive statistics, and the power of association was evaluated using correlation analysis. Regression equations of gestational age (GA) in completed weeks with anthropometric parameters were formulated using simple and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

Except for hand length, all other neonatal anthropometric measurements were positively correlated with GA in completed weeks at p< 0.05. Anthropometric parameters individually, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and BW (birth weight) were correlated well with GA at correlation coefficient (r) of 0.406 and 0.334, respectively. Regression formula was formulated as GA (weeks) = 26.12+ [1.11×MUAC (cm)] and GA (Weeks) = 33.19 + [1.53×BW (kg)]. Multiple regression contributed correlation with GA and used for prediction of GA as GA (weeks) = 28.12 – [0.393×HL (cm)] + [1.07×BW (kg)] + [0.87×MUAC (cm)] (r₌ 0.458).

Conclusion

The overall relative better correlation for prediction of GA, alone and in combination, is found by combined parameters (HL, MUAC, and BW). The relatively better individual anthropometric parameter for GA assessment is MUAC. Hence, using this neonatal parameter as a prediction of gestational age, the death of neonate due to preterm can be minimized.

Keywords:

• anatomical parameters
• gestational age
• neonates
• Dessie Referral Hospital

Acknowledgments

I thanked Wollo University for providing ethical clearance and a supporting letter for this research preparation. My most sincere gratitude goes to Dessie Referral Hospital health workers for their kind unbroken support throughout the study period. Also, I would like to thank the data collectors for their cooperation during data collection. Finally, I would like to express my great thanks to Dr. Caridad Sanchez for editing the English language.

Abbreviations

BW, birth weight; CHL, crown-heel length; CM, centimeter; FL, foot length; GA, gestational age; HC, head circumference; HL, hand length; IMD, intermammary distance; LNMP, last normal menstrual period; MAE, mean absolute error; MAPE, mean average percentage error; MUAC, mid-upper arm circumference; UND, umbilical nipple distance.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Before data collection, ethical clearance was obtained from the Department of Research Ethics Review Committee (DRERC) of Wollo University. A supporting letter was sent to Dessie Referral Hospital and permission was obtained from the hospital manager to implement the study. The aim and objectives of the study were clearly explained to the manager of Dessie Referral Hospital and midwifery staff. Additionally, all participants’ parents/legal guardians were informed about the purpose and confidentiality issues related to the study. Participation was voluntary. Verbal informed consent was obtained from the participant’s parent/legal guardians who could not able to read and write, and the verbally informed consent process was approved by the DRERC of Wollo University. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant’s parent/guardians who could able to read and write. Finally, data were collected and Confidentiality of patient information was maintained by taking the data anonymously. Lastly, the author confirms that this study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Disclosure

The author declares that there is no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.