Linear growth in the early neonatal period.

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that early linear growth is independent of changes in weight we undertook simple anthropometry in 45 term infants daily to day 7 after birth. Linear growth proceeded rapidly and independently of changes in weight variations from the first day after birth; we suggest that this implies 'programmed' continuity of skeletal growth, possibly fuelied at the expense of other body tissues. The anthropometry comprised crown-heel length to the next succeeding 1 mm using a Holtain neonatometer; ulnar length (distal ulnar styloid to olecranon) to the next succeeding 0 -mm using a pair of RS precision vernier calipers; weight using Sartorius electronic balance scales to the nearest 10 g; and occipitofrontal circumference to the next succeeding 1 mm using a paper tape measure. All measuring devices were checked against standards daily, and recalibrated where necessary. Weight was obtained at birth; each of the other measurements was made within the first 24 hours, and on successive days thereafter.The precision (standard error of measurement) for crown-heel length was 0 7 mm (n=33), and for ulnar length 0 2 mm (n=33). Interobserver variability was 2 mm for crownheel length (n= 21); only one observer carried out ulnar length measurements.Thirty eight infants were breast fed, with four of these receiving 'complementary' formula feeds for one day each. ResultsThe results are displayed graphically in figs 1 and 2. The graphs represent the mean incremental changes over successive 24 hour periods for each of the measurements performed. The points are for the group mean over that time period; the error bars are 1 standard error of +hat mean. No significant differences were

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Knee-heel length measurement in healthy preterm infants

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