Correlation of Calf Circumference in Relation to Other Anthropometric Measurements in Low Birth Weight Babies

Abstract

Abstract Background India having 3rd highest incidence of low birth weight (LBW) infants(28%) in the world. In India most of the deliveries are performed at home by untrained Dhais and midwifes. So if we train them to use alternative approach for estimating low birth weight like simple anthropometric indicators such as calf circumference, which can be easily implemented by rural communities. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, prospective study at a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, a southern state in India, during a one-year period in 2021–2022. We included 80 neonates without any congenital malformations who were delivered at the hospital, irrespective of gestational age, and subjected them to anthropometric measurements. We measured calf circumference, chest circumference, mid-arm circumference, thigh circumference, and head circumference using non-stretchable measuring tape. Birth weight was recorded on an electronic weighing machine. Correlation coefficients were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results From different anthropometric measurements, calf circumference did not show significant correlation with birth weight. The best correlation was observed in mid arm circumference and chest circumference for identifying babies with birth weight group. Birth weight can be roughly calculated from derived formula weight (kg) = 0.06(CC + MAC)-1.76 Conclusions In the absence of a weighing machine, simple measurements like chest and mid arm circumference can identify babies with low birth weights. Calf circumference was not well correlated with birth weight in our study.