Establishment of Neonatal Morphometry Curves in Constantine Region, Algeria

Introduction. Weight, height, and head circumference curves relative to gestational age at birth provide clinicians with a reference that allows them to correctly identify small-for-gestational-age newborns and macrosomic newborns. The aim of this study is to construct local curves and compare them to those currently used in our maternity wards. Materials and Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the maternity ward of Ali Mendjeli public hospital in Constantine. All live newborns born between August 1, 2013, and February 29, 2016, from singleton and uncomplicated pregnancies were included. The 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of weight, height, and head circumference were calculated for each gestational age for both sexes using a linear polynomial regression model. Results. We included 1840 newborns. The average weight was 3358.89 g (± 459.842) for boys and 3313.12 g (± 426.517) for girls. The average height was 50.13 cm (± 3.05) for boys and 49.79 cm (± 2.203) for girls, and the average head circumference was 35.17 cm (± 1.69) for boys and 34.77 cm (± 1.68) for girls. Our curves were different from those currently used in our maternity wards. Conclusion. This study provides, for the first time in Algeria, local curves for weight, height, and head circumference according to gestational age. Our curves may constitute a first tool adapted to our population.