How do you measure the length of infant?

 

Weight and length measurement in infants:

Monitoring weight and length in infants is a critical aspect of assessing their overall health and development. It can help identify potential health problems early on and provide necessary interventions if needed.

Weight measurement:

It is an important parameter in assessing child 's nutritional stats, growth and development. Weight - for - age and weight - for - length are the key indicator of wasting in children. Weight of an infant can be measured accurately by using different equipment such as electronic scale or a triple beam balance having non-detachable weights with an accuracy of 0.01kg for children aged less than 2y and 0.

1kg for children aged more than 2y. In a pan type pediatric scale, the weight of an infant or child can be measured while letting him or her lie down calmly. 

Another option is the usage of hanging scale. A hanging scale should be affixed to a steady structure such as doorframe or a building rafter. The weight measurements are taken while the child is suspended on the scale in weighing pants.

 During weight measurement, ensure that the child is in as little clothing as possible and no one is holding onto the child. Record weight to the nearest 10 grams. Three measurements should be recorded to compute an average while exclude the values which appear skewed.

Calibration is an important consideration in weight measurement. Thus, before any measurement are recorded, calibration of the scale should be performed. 

Afterwards, the measurements are performed according to  procedure described below.

1.Infant weight is measured by using the scale that weighs in kg to the nearest 10g for infants weighing up to 7.5kg and 10g for those weighing upto 20kg.

2.Ensure that the scale is placed on a flat surface. Turn on the scale and wait for zero to get visible on the display.

3.Ideally, the baby should be naked. In colder climate, the surface of weighing pan may be warmed by positioning an incandescent light bulb above the pan to make it comfortable.

4.Carefully place the baby onto the scale and wait until the baby turns calm and stops moving.

5.Ensure that the baby does not hold onto any support.

6.Record the weight to the nearest 0.01 or 0.1kg as described earlier.

Length:

Length is another key determinant of child nutritional status. If a child is malnourished for a longer period of time, he may exhibit delay in growth which may be evident with slow increase in length according to the age.

 In children who cannot stand without assistance, length instead of height can be taken. Length is measured while child is lying down straight. For measuring length, accurately calibrated length board is recommended. 

Length 

board should have a moveable foot piece and a fixed headpiece. For this purpose infantometer is used by following the prescribed procedure as detailed here:

1.The infantometer is placed on a flat surface i.e. a large table which is levelled and stable.

2.Ask the parent/caregiver to remove the clothes of infant. Length measurements in infants may make them uncomfortable. Ask the parent/caregiver to calm the baby if needed. To avoid any discomfort, cover the top of horizontal board with the help of soft paper or cloth.

3.Anything, which can hinder the measurement, should be removed, for example hair ornaments interfere with positioning of the head of an infant. Moreover, diapers make it difficult to hold the infants legs together and straight.

4.Two individual are required to do the measurement. One hold the head against the headboard with the Frankfort plane forming 90 angle with the backboard. The second one ensure that the buttocks, shoulders and head touch the flat board.

5.To take the measurement, the footboard is positioning gently against the feet of infant. The soles of the feet would be flat on the board while toes pointing upwards. If the infants do not straighten his or her toes and is reluctant in touching the footboard with the soles of feet, pull the legs slightly and draw in the footboard where he or she draws the toes up.

 Straighten the knees of infant carefully to the extent they can be pulled, without harming the infant. In newborns and premature infants it is quite impossible to straighten the legs to the extent possible in children, as they are very fragile, and a little pressure can harm the legs.

6.The assistant should check that the infant is not arching the spine when the reading is being taken. Slightly press the feet against the footboard, so there is small compression of the tissue on the feet.

If the practitioner is unable to hold both legs of the infant as he is restless, take one-leg measurement.

1. What is the average weight of a newborn infant and how does it change during the first year of life?
2. What is the significance of monitoring the weight and length growth patterns in infants?
3. What factors can affect the weight and length measurements of an infant?
4. What are some potential health concerns if an infant's weight or length is significantly below or above the average for their age?
5. What methods are commonly used by pediatricians to measure the weight and length of an infant accurately?
6. How do you measure the length of infant?
7. How to weigh the infant?