Abstract

SANCHEZ JAEGER, Armando; DEL REAL VARGAS, Sara; SOLANO RODRIGUEZ, Liseti  and  PENA PERDOMO, Evelyn. Traditional anthropometric, proportionality, and body composition indicators of the newborns a low socioeconomic group of venezuelans. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2005, vol.18, n.2, pp.155-161. ISSN 0798-0752.

This study intends to nutritionally characterize a group of Venezuelans newborns through different anthropometric indices (traditional, of body composition, and of proportionality). 137 term singletons, born to mothers that attended "Maternidad Dr. Armando Arcay" in Valencia were assessed. Weight, height, head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and subcutaneous skinfolds were taken during the first 24 hours of birth. The Capurro method was used to assess gestational age. Weight-for-gestational age, height-for-gestational age, head circumference-for-gestational age, ponderal index, fat mass, and fat free mass were calculated and compared to a Venezuelan reference value. Using the weight-for-gestational age index, newborns whose birth weight (BW) was £ the 10th percentile were considered "small for gestational age" (SGA) (8.6%); those whose BW > the 10th percentile and < the 90th percentile were classified as "adequate for gestational age" (AGA) (85.6%); and those with BW ³ the 90th percentile as "large for gestational age" (LGA) (5.8%). With the indices height-for-gestational age, head circumference, and the ponderal index, newborns were categorized as symmetric or asymmetric. Males showed higher values than females, with significant differences for weight, height, head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and fat free mass. There were significant differences for all variables between SGA, AGA, and LGA newborns. The use of body composition and proportionality indices allowed for a better anthropometrical characterization, which suggests their inclusion for an effective nutritional diagnosis.

Keywords : Newborn; anthropometrical; proportionality; body composition; Venezuela.