Maternal and neonatal anthropometric analyses used for determining birth outcomes

What is it about?

We aim to assess the input of maternal and neonatal body physique anthropometries to birth outcomes. A prospective study of 177 full term birth at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki from July to December, 2019. Maternal and neonatal anthropometric parameters and birth outcomes: mode of delivery and Apgar score were considered in this study. The measurements followed the guidelines outlined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The prevalence of low birth weight (6.21%), caesarian mode of delivery (14.12%) and abnormal Apgar score (9.04%) was relatively low in the study. Birth weight was dependent on the maternal age, weight, BMI, % body fat, waist and hip circumference (p<0.05). Normal Apgar score at 1 minute of birth of male neonates was dependent on maternal BMI and neonatal head circumference while abnormal Apgar score in male and female neonates was dependent on maternal age and waist hip ratio, respectively (p<0.05). Maternal and neonatal body physique anthropometries can be utilized to identify mothers and neonates at risk of having birth complications. Thus it provided a practical alternative means to know the possible risk of undesirable birth outcomes through spontaneous vaginal delivery in low risk pregnancies

Featured Image

Why is it important?

We aim to assess the input of maternal and neonatal body physique anthropometries to birth outcomes. In this article, simple anthropometric characteristics were used to determine the delivery outcomes in a low risk pregnancies.

Perspectives