الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Growth is a complex dynamic process that is considered a unique feature of pediatrics. This study is performed to construct an updated reference chart for premature Egyptians as well as performing a field study to compare measurements of toddlers less than 3 years with data obtained for construction of the Egyptian growth curves. A total of 263 preterm infants and 333 toddler infants less than 3 years were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference, and other measurements) were performed and reported for both groups of infants separately using appropriate instruments. The data obtained from these two different cross-sectional samples; toddlers and prematures were analyzed. For premature infants, percentile curves for weight, length, head circumference, BMI, and Ponderal index were constructed for each gestational age from 27 to 38 weeks (combined for both males and females). For toddlers, anthropometric data obtained from this study was compared by two different methods; comparing the means at the different age groups of the males and females separately, as well as, obtaining SDS for the different measurements compared to data of the current Egyptian growth curves. The overall deviation from the normal standards as compared to the data obtained from the Egyptian growth curve for the weight, length head circumference, midarm circumference, triceps and subscapular skin fold thickness are 1.2%, 3%, 4.8%, 3.3%, 3.3%, and 2.7% respectively. In conclusion: reference charts for weight, length, and head circumference were constructed for premature infants. As well as, a field study for the Egyptian growth curves was obtained. Keywords: growth charts; prematures; toddlers, growth assessment, anthropometric measurements. |