A possible model for estimating birth length of babies from common parental variables using a sample of families in Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Length at birth is important for evaluating childhood growth and development. It is of interest in Pediatrics because of its implications for perinatal and postnatal morbidity and mortality. Predicting birth length will be useful in anticipating and managing possible complications associated with pregnancy and birth of babies with abnormal birth length. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify easily accessible parental determinants of baby's birth length in Lagos, Nigeria, using a sample of patients attending a government hospital. METHODS: Parental anthropometrics and other data were obtained from 250 couples by actual measurements, oral interviews and questionnaires. Baby's birth length was measured immediately after delivery by qualified, a well-trained obstetric nurse, and association between parental and offspring parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Weight gain, maternal weight, parity and mid-parental height were the significant parental explanatory variables of offspring birth length. They were the most suitable variables for a generated model for predicting babies' birth length from parental variables in the study. CONCLUSION: A model that might be useful for predicting babies' birth length from easily accessible parental variables was produced. This model may complement ultrasonographic data for predicting baby's birth length with a view to achieving better perinatal and postnatal care.