Measuring body weight in children under 2 years of age.
Purpose: to obtain objective examination data of the patient. Indications: Assessing the adequacy of a child's nutrition. Assessment of physical development. Equipment: cup scales, rubber gloves, container with disinfectant, rags. Mandatory condition: weigh the child on an empty stomach, at the same time, after defecation. Performing the procedure: 1. Explain to the mother the purpose of the study. 2. Place the scale on a flat, stable surface. 3. Prepare the necessary equipment. 4. Check if the shutter of the scale is closed. 5. Wash and dry your hands and put on gloves. 6. Treat the tray with disinfectant. r-rum. 7. Place a diaper folded several times on the tray (make sure that it does not cover the scale or interfere with the movement of the scale bar). 8. Set the weights to zero divisions. 9. Open the shutter. 10. Balance the scales by rotating the counterweight, close the shutter. 11. Place the child on the scale with his head towards the wide part (or sit him down). 12. Open the shutter. 13. Move the “kilogram” weight located on the bottom of the scale until the barbell falls down, then move the weight one notch to the left. 14. Smoothly move the weight that determines grams and is located on the upper bar until the equilibrium position is established. 15. Close the shutter and remove the child from the scale. 16. Write down mass indicators. Infection control: 1. Remove the diaper from the scales, wipe the working surface of the scales with disinfectant. r-rum. 2. Remove gloves and wash hands.
Anthropometry in kindergarten
Children attending preschool institutions can undergo anthropometry at the preschool educational institution. Anthropometry of children in kindergarten is performed by a health worker, using stadiometers, scales and measuring tapes.
The procedure is carried out in the first half of the day, before meals. Children should wear a minimum of clothing, ideally a light T-shirt and shorts. They stand on the scales and under the stadiometer barefoot. The results obtained are entered into the table.
An approximate anthropometry template in kindergarten is a plate containing the following columns:
- surname and first name of the child,
- age,
- group,
- height,
- weight,
- Head circumference,
- chest circumference,
- arm length,
- leg length,
- date of measurements.
Specific indicators entered into the table may differ in different kindergartens. The results obtained are compared with the average norm and entered into the anthropometry journal . To keep a log, it is convenient to use the “Medical Cabinet” software module of the Educational Institution Activity Control System. It allows you to track data on the physical development of children over time. In addition, the program has developed more than 30 medical journals that help monitor the health and morbidity of children, monitor dietary nutrition and the quality of food preparation, comply with product standards and the sanitary condition of premises.
You can try the program for free here.
How to determine the degree of malnutrition?
The degree of malnutrition means how severe the symptoms are and what kind of weight deficit there is in relation to the child’s height. So, for example, a born child is diagnosed with “grade 1 malnutrition” in newborns if he was born at a gestational age of more than 38 weeks, has a body weight of 2800 g or less, and a body length of less than 50 cm. If the child has an acquired form of malnutrition , then the so-called “weight loss index” or fatness index according to Chulitskaya (professor of the department of the University of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg) is calculated.
IUC (Chulitskaya fatness index) is the sum of the circumference of the shoulder, thigh and lower leg, from which the child’s body length is subtracted. Calculations are carried out in centimeters, and in normal children under the age of one year this figure is 25−30 cm. If children develop malnutrition, then this index decreases to 10−15 cm, which indicates the presence of 1st degree malnutrition.
Body weight deficiency is also calculated using a formula that all pediatricians have. The table contains weight indicators that should be added monthly:
- 1 month after birth - 600 g.
- 2 and 3 months - 800 g each.
- 4 month - 750 g.
The calculation for the fifth and all subsequent months is equal to the previous weight minus 50 g.
When measuring the degree of malnutrition, the actual weight of the child is compared with that calculated from the table according to age. For example, a child was born weighing 3500 g, and at the age of 2 months weighs 4000 g. The actual weight should be 3500 + 600 + 800 = 4900 g. The deficit is 900 g, which as a percentage is 18%:
X = (900 x 100) / 4900 = 18%
- Hypotrophy 1st degree - diagnosed with a weight deficit of 10% to 20%.
- Hypotrophy 2nd degree - diagnosed with a weight deficit of 20% to 30%.
- Hypotrophy of the 3rd degree - diagnosed with a weight deficit of 30% or more.
Frequency of anthropometry to monitor the child’s condition
During the first month of life, the pediatrician examines the baby every week, since at this stage it is especially important to identify any developmental disorders. Further, if no deviations are found, anthropometry of a child up to one year is performed monthly.
Upon reaching 12 months of age, the body rapidly grows. Normally, in the second year of life, the weight gain is up to 4 kg, in height - up to 15 cm. Then every year the baby adds 2-3 kg. Of course, these indicators will differ for different children - a lot depends on heredity, on the quality of nutrition, and on environmental factors.
The algorithm for conducting anthropometry in children is aimed, first of all, at identifying gross deviations from the norm - severe retardation in height or weight, disproportion of limbs, excessive weight gain, etc. Such cases require careful consideration and consultation of specialists: pediatrician, endocrinologist, geneticist. Particular attention must be paid to weight. Children who are too thin are more susceptible to colds, and children who are too fat are more susceptible to the early development of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
In the second year of life, anthropometry in children is performed once every three months. Starting from the third year - once every 6 months, from the fourth and beyond - annually.
