Abstract
Birthweight (BW) as a function of gestational age (GA) was evaluated for a broad spectrum of both urban and suburban population, in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, who delivered at Penna. Hosp. A total of 13467 live-births occurred at this institution during the years 1977 to 1981. The racial spectrum was 62% Black (49.7% females); 30% White (47.8% females); and 8% Hispanics, Orientals, Asians, etc. GA was calculated on the mother's dates, obstetrical evaluation and then, the clinical estimation of GA. The data was analyzed by a UNIVAC computer programmed to calculate the percentiles of BW for each week of GA (26 to 42 weeks) for the total population and ethnic subcategories. BW curves were developed for all data. Total population BW exhibited different values of central tendency and were statistically different from known curves (Fig 1). Statistically different curves were also developed on the basis of race and sex. Differences in geographic location, altitude and composition of ethnic populations probably account for these observations. These data emphasize the need to utilize local regional standards classification of neonates according to their GA, and thus predict the risk of their morbidity and mortality.
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Otis, C., Bhutani, V. & Bolognese, R. BIRTHWEIGHT/GESTATIONAL AGE PROFILES FOR METROPOLITAN PHILADELPHIA. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 186 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00557
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00557