Original scientific paper
Changes in Body Size of Newborns in Lithuania, 1974–2004
Janina Tutkuviene
Egle Marija Jakimaviciene
Nijole Drazdiene
Inga Blaziene
Grazina Drasutiene
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyse body size of Lithuanian newborns born in 1998 and 2004, and to compare results
with the data from 1974. The main body size measurements – body weight, body length and body mass index (BMI)
of 3,281 (1,705 boys and 1,576 girls) live term singleton Lithuanian newborns’ were analysed according to gestational
age, sex and health status. The data were collected in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Vilnius University (VU
COG), and the comparison with the data of Lithuanian Medical Birth Register of (LMBR) was performed. No significant
differences between height, weight and body mass index in 1998 and the same characteristics in 2004 were observed.
Means and principal percentiles (10th, 50th, 90th) of body measurements of 37–42 weeks of gestational age newborns were
obtained. The mean body length was 52.8/52.19 cm (boys/girls), body weight – 3,589/3,454 g, BMI 12.82/12.64 correspondingly.
The recent data were compared with the similar data from 1974 cohort. Statistically significant increment of
body length of Lithuanian newborns was observed in all age and sex groups, whereas weight changes were less evident.
The analysis of BMI demonstrated the following trend: newborns became longer, but not relatively heavier in comparison
with the similar data 30 years ago. Hence, it is important to evaluate weight changes of neonate in relation with the
changes in height. Further investigation of prevalence of neonatal macrosomia, possible factors of body size changes,
their relationship to general health status and further health issues of the child should be explored.
Keywords
newborns; height; weight; body mass index; body size changes; Lithuania
Hrčak ID:
27328
URI
Publication date:
4.1.2007.
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