Anthropometric Measurements

P. Balakrishnan,

Principal, RITEE College of Nursing (RITCON), Chhatauna, Mandir Hasaud, Raipur (C.G.)

Corresponding Author Email: bala3681@yahoo.co.in

Anthropometric measurements reflect any change in the growth pattern and may be the first clue to a serious problem. Anthropometric measurements are useful indices for assessing Nutritional status of the children. Measurement must be taken at every health care visit from birth to adulthood.

Weight

Height

Steps

Procedure for weighing infants:

1. Place the scale in an appropriate place

2. Drape (or) cover the scale with paper or plastic

3. Balance (or) adjust the scale to ‘0’ error

4. Remove the infant’s cloths and place him/her gently in the pan

5. For, safety, hold one hand over the body of the infant’s without touching

6. Read an accurate reading of the weight and record it on the chart

Procedure for weighing older children

1. Place the scale in an appropriate place

2. Balance (or) adjust the scale to ‘0’ error

3. Remove shoes and any heavy clothing of the child

4. Ask the child to step onto the scale and make sure the child is centered on the scale

5. Read an accurate reading of the weight and record it on the chart.

Measuring the child and adolescent stature

Use a calibrated vertical stadiometer with a right-angle headpiece.

1. Instruct to remove shoes and stand as straight as possible.

2. The child is measured standing with heels, buttocks, shoulders and head touching a flat upright surface

3. Place a three dimensional objects such as thick book on the top of the head firmly against the wall to form a right angle.

4. Measure length or stature to the nearest 1mm or 1/8 inch

5. Record the readings in the growth chart.

Infant- length procedure:

1. The child should be placed on his back in the center of the length board so that the child is lying straight and his shoulders and buttocks are flat against the measuring surface.

2. Hold the head in midline. The child should look straight ahead

3. Grasp the knees together gently.

4. Both legs should be fully extended and the toes should be pointing upward with feet flat against the foot piece. The foot board is brought against the sole of the feet.

5. Reading is taken from the ruler placed at the junction of the inner side of the foot board.

6. The length should be recorded on the data form as soon as it is completed.

Normal Findings

At birth - 2.5kg to3.2 kg

At 6 months - 7.26 kg ± 1 kg (double × birth weight)

At 1 year - 10 ±1.5 kg (triple × birth weight)

At 2 years - 12 kg ; At 2½years – 12 kg

At 3years – 14.6 kg ; At 4 years - 16.7 kg

At 5 years - 18.7 kg ; At 6 years - 21 kg

At 12 years - 40 kg.

At birth – 50 cm

At 6 months – 62 cm

At 1 year – 75 cm

At 2 years – 85 cm

At 2 - 5years – Increases 6.8 cm / year

Above 5 years - Increases 5 cm / year.

Head circumference

Chest circumference

Steps

To measure head circumference,

1. Position the child standing or in a sitting position in the lap of the caregiver.

2. Place the lower edge of the measuring tape just above the child's eyebrows, above the ears and around the occipital prominence at the back of the head.

3. Pull the tape snugly to compress the hair. The objective is to measure the maximal head circumference.

4. Repeat the measurement twice or until two measurements agree to 0.1 cm (1/8 in).

5. Record the numerical value immediately and plot on the growth chart.

6. If the measurement appears abnormal when plotted, check the accuracy of plotting and recheck the measurement.

To measure chest circumference,

1. Make the child to sit or lie down comfortably

2. Place the tape around the chest at the level of the nipples, the measurement can also be taken at the level of the xiphisternum

3. The reading is recorded midway between inspiration and expiration

4. While recording the chest measurement, caution is to be observed that the tape is not pressed tightly on the chest wall which would compress the soft tissues underneath.

Normal Findings

· Birth, Head Circumference 34 cm

· 5 Weeks: Head Circumference 36 cm

· 2 Months: Head Circumference 37.5 cm

· 4 Months: Head Circumference 39.8 cm

· 6 Months: Head Circumference 41.3 cm

· 9 Months: Head Circumference 42.4 cm.

· 12 months: Head and chest circumference is equal.

Newborn- 30-35cm

After 1 year : Chest circumference > Head circumference

Mid arm circumference

Abdominal circumference

Steps

To measure Mid Arm Circumference,

1. Determine the midpoint on the arm between the acromial process and the olecranon process with the elbow flexed at an angle of 90^o.

2. Measure child arm with Non-stretch tape by passing it gently but firmly round the midpoint without compression of the soft tissues, with the child arm hanging relaxed at the side.

3. Record the measurement in centimeters.

To measure abdominal circumference,

1. Place the children on a recumbent or dorsal position.

2. Measure abdominal circumference at the level of umbilicus with the tape measure at right angles to the vertebral column.

3. Record the measurement in centimeters.

Note:

· For Newborn, measure abdominal circumference just above the level of umbilicus, because the umbilical cord is still attached.

· Measuring the abdominal circumference below the umbilical region is unsuitable because bladder status may affect the reading.

Normal Findings

13.5 cm – 16 cm : Normal

12.5 cm – 13.5cm : Mild to moderate (Grade I & II) Malnutrition

12.5 cm or below : Severe (Grade IV) Malnutrition.

Indication

· Children with gastrointestinal problem.