Abstract
Background: Birth weight is an important indicator of neonatal health. Incidence of low birth weight infants in developing country like Bangladesh is high. Deliveries as 75% are conducted in rural community mainly by Traditional Birth Attendants or by relatives. Facility of birth weight recording is not existent. To overcome the problem of weight recording, it was justified to find out other simple measurements that could be used as substitute of weighing babies. Aim of the study was to examine the validity of anthropometric measurements as a screening method of low birth weight babies.
Material & Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted on 560 newborns over a period of 18 months in 2000-2001 in Dhaka city. Mid-arm circumference, length, head circumference, chest circumference, abdominal girth and calf circumference were considered.
Results: A significant correlation was observed for birth weight with all other anthropometrical parameters (P<0.001). However, there was a higher correlation (r=0.946) between birth weight and mid-arm circumference. The study showed that in identifying newborns of <2500 gm a mid-arm circumference of <9 cm had the best sensitivity (96.2%) and specificity (97.3%). A value of <8 cm and <6.8 cm for mid-arm circumference showed highest validity for picking up newborns weighing <2000 gm and <1500 gm respectively. Cut-off values for all other parameters to screen neonates categorically were observed. Regression analysis of birth weight on all other parameters was seen.
Conclusion: The work concluded that anthropometric parameters might be a valid alternative method in screening low birth weight infants.

Key words: Low birth weight detection, anthropometric parameter, neonate