Comparative Assessment of Basic Anthropometric Features in Normal and Low Birth Weight Newborns (preliminary results)

The aim is to characterize the anthropometric and nutritional status of Bulgarian neonates with normal and low birth weight and to assess sexual differences.The data of 3086 neonates (1587 boys, 1499 girls) born in 2010 are gathered from the birth registry of I st Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital "St.Sofia" in Sofia.Newborns are classified as Normal Birth Weight (birth weight 2500 g to 4499 g) and Low Birth Weight (birth weight from 1500 g to 2499 g).Data of birth weight, length and BMI are analyzed, sexual differences in both groups are assessed.The neonates with NBW have significantly higher values of investigated features compared to LBW newborns.Sexual differences in LBW group are slightly expressed while in NBW group they are statistically significant.The results are valuable and could serve as a basis for development of national sex specific reference values for weight, length and BMI at birth in NBW and LBW newborns.