METHODS: Weight, recumbent length and head circumference were recorded at birth, hospital discharge, and at 4, 12 and 24 months corrected age (CA) in 62 VLBW infants.
Weight was measured to a precision of 0.1 kg using an electronic digital scale and recumbent length to a precision of 0.1 cm using an infantometer.
Anthropometric measurements include naked weight, recumbent length, and head circumference.
Recumbent length was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm with subjects in a lying position.
Recumbent length is measured on a Harpenden stadiometer to the nearest 1 mm.
The recumbent length of infants is measured using a SECA Medical Scale.
Length will be measured in duplicate at birth, 1, 6, 12 and 24 months as recumbent crown-heel length on a flat surface using a measuring mat (Seca 417, Seca Corp., Baltimore, USA), accurate to the nearest millimetre.
Conversely, because of increased risk of maternal abdominal blood vessels compression, less effectiveness of uterine contractions, less perineal muscle relaxation, high rate of analgesia request, and long labour length, recumbent position seems associated with more operative deliveries, severe pain [ 1, 3, 16], abnormal fetal heart trace, and greater episiotomy rate [ 1, 10, 11, 17, 18].
We hypothesized that greater than recommended servings of sugar sweetened beverages and foods, indicators of food security, and a high maternal recumbent weight-for-length are positively associated with high percentages of child overweight/obesity.
Recumbent infant crown-heel length was measured using an infant mat when the infant was 3 18 months of age (SECA 210 mobile measuring mat); the child's standing height at age 24 months was measured using a stadiometer (SECA 213 Mobile Stadiometer).
Infants' length was measured in recumbent position to the nearest millimetre with a standard stadiometer.
