Comparison of birth weight, length, and head circumference between the BRISA-RP and Intergrowth‐21st cohorts

Objectives

(a) To determine the 3rd, 50th, and 97th percentiles of weight, length, and head circumference of newborns from the Ribeirão Preto BRISA cohort, according to gender and gestational age, and compare them with the Intergrowth‐21st standard; (b) To estimate the small for gestational age ( < 3rd percentile), large for gestational age ( > 97th percentile), stunting (length < 3rd percentile), and wasting (body mass index < 3rd percentile).

Methods

Observational study of a cohort of 7702 newborns between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2010 in the city of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. The 3rd, 50th, and 97th percentiles were determined for the anthropometric measurements using fractional polynomial regression.

Results

The weight difference between Ribeirão Preto and Intergrowth-21st was small, being more pronounced in preterm infants (mean difference between the two populations of +266 g); for full‐term newborns, there was a mean difference of +66 g, and for post‐term infants, of −113 g. For length, the mean variation was always <1 cm; whereas for head circumference, preterm newborns showed a variation >1 cm, and full‐term and post‐term newborns showed a variation of <1 cm. The small and large for gestational age detection rates were 2.9% and 4.3%, respectively. Stunting affected 6.5% of all newborns and wasting, 1.5%, with a predominance in girls and in full‐term pregnancies; both conditions were present in 0.4% of the sample.

Conclusions

Newborns from Ribeirão Preto, when compared to the Intergrowth‐21 standard, are heavier, longer, and have a larger head circumference until they reach full‐term.