Reference values of anthropometric measurements in healthy late preterm and term infants*

Abstract

Geographical distribution, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors may affect anthropometric measurements, and for that reason each society should determine their own measurements accounting for those factors. In this study, we aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements of healthy late preterm and term infants to compare the results with other national and international studies. Materials and methods: This sectional study was carried out among 1197 infants born with a gestational age of ≥35 weeks. Chest circumference, ear length, foot length, palmar length, middle finger length, philtrum distance, inner and outer canthal distances, and palpebral fissure length were measured in the first 24 h of life. Results: All measurements of late preterm infants were smaller than those of term infants (P < 0.05). Compared with male infants, the chest circumference, ear length, foot length, palmar length, philtrum distance, and inner canthal distances of the female infants were lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between male and female infants' middle finger length, outer canthal distance, and palpebral fissure length measurements. Percentile values for all measurements of 35-42 week male and female infants were described. Conclusion: These measurements of male and female infants born between 35 and 42 weeks may be useful for early detection of syndromes by detecting anatomical abnormalities in our population.