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Comparative Assessment of Fetal Malnutrition by Anthropometry and CAN Score
Soundarya, Mahalingam; Basavaprabhu, Achappa; Raghuveera, Kamila; Baliga, BS & Shivanagaraja, BSV
Abstract
Objectives: Fetal malnutrition (FM) implies soft tissue wasting at birth with significant postnatal
consequences and morbidity, and is identified by clinical assessment (CAN score) and anthropometry. No
previous studies have been done to study all these parameters and evolve a screening method. The aim of this
study was identifying the incidence of FM using CAN score and compare the nutritional assessment with
anthropometry and evolve a screening tool for rapid assessment of FM.
Methods: Prospective study in Government district maternity hospital. 300 term newborns were assessed by
CAN score and anthropometry recorded. The newborns were classified as per weight for age. Ponderal index
(PI), Body mass index (BMI) and midarm circumference/head circumference ratio (MAC/HC) calculated and
compared to CAN Score for accuracy in identifying FM.
Findings: Incidence of FM was 24%. Newborns identified malnourished by PI, BMI, MAC/HC were evaluated
by CAN score and significant number of them (31/78 in PI, 60/121 in BMI, 51/81 in MAC/HC) were found
well nourished. Similarly those recognized as normal by PI, BMI, MAC/HC were malnourished by CAN
score(25/222 in PI, 11/179 in BMI, 42/219 in MAC/HC) with statistical significance(0.0001). BMI had the
highest sensitivity and 11 neonates with normal BMI had low CAN score ann 9 of them had normal PI also
making a combination of BMI and PI a good indicator of normal nutrition.
Conclusion: FM is best identified by CAN Score. BMI is the best screening tool for malnutrition and when
coupled with PI will identify most normally nourished newborns.
Keywords
CAN Score; Fetal Malnutrition; Ponderal Index; Body Mass Index;
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