Arm/head ratio in the nutritional evaluation of newborn infants: a report of an African population

Summary

A total of 848 appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants were recruited for the study, and fully analysed, from three hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. They were examined in order to develop a standard of arm/head ratio for nutritional assessment of the newborn in an African population. The anthropometric measurements were correlated with gestational age and the standard was developed from the regression line of arm/head ratio and gestational age and the corresponding 95% confidence belt. There was a highly significant positive correlation between arm/head ratio and gestational age (r = 0.89; p < 0.001). Using clinical nutritional status as the reference, the standard had a good sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 92.9%. Comparatively, age, weight classification had a sensitivity and a specificity of 67.7% and 85.3%, respectively. The arm/head ratio is simple and reliable. It is recommended for routine use, particularly in an African population.