Growth centiles for Omani premature infants born at 26 weeks of gestation

OBJECTIVE: The present growth chart used in the Sultanate of Oman does not contain centile measurements for infants born at 26-weeks of gestation. With the increased survival of these premature infants, there is a growing need to develop such a chart. The present study was conducted with the aim to look at the anthropometric measurements (weight, length and head circumference) of Omani premature infants born at 26-weeks of gestation and to develop centile charts for these measurements.

METHODS: The study was conducted at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the Royal Hospital, one of the major perinatal institutions in Muscat, Oman. A computerized database is maintained for all the admissions from 1996. We extracted the required anthropometric data for all 26-week gestation premature Omani infants admitted to SCBU from January 1996 to November 2003. A total of 49 babies were admitted during that period. Out of these, 43 had complete information on the growth parameters, including birth weight, length and head circumference. These parameters were noted down and by using the statistical package, an analysis was performed to get the normal distribution curve. By using the Microsoft Excel program, graphs were generated for all the 3 growth parameters.

RESULTS: The mean birth weight for the premature infants born at 26-week gestation was noted to be 908 +/- 156 grams, with length and head circumference of 33.5 +/- 2.5 and 24.5 +/- 1.7 centimeters. The normal distribution curve was obtained with minimal skewing.

CONCLUSION: We were able to generate centile charts of the anthropometric measurements for Omani infants born at 26-weeks of gestation. The next step is to collect the national data from other institutions in Oman and then incorporate it into the present growth chart to make the charts more valid, reliable and applicable.