Records of birth weight and prematurity in the Wasukuma of lake province, Tanganyika

In 2,471 singleton births of Wasukuma in Mwanza, Lake Province, Tanganyika, the mean birth-weights in two periods, were 6lb. 6oz. and 6lb. 8oz. The incidence of prematurity was considered to be more reliably represented by the international standard than by clinical recording. The mean birth-weight increased with birth rank, being about 1 lb. higher for babies of the 4th rank than for those of the 1st. The incidence of prematurity, as judged by the international standard or by clinical signs, was highest in the first birth rank, but no clear trend was seen through ranks 1 to 4 as in the case of birth weight.