DETECTION OF FETAL MALNUTRITION BY CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS SCORE AT BIRTH AND COMPARING WITH WEIGHT FOR GESTATION AND PONDERAL INDEX.

Dr. S.Madhu

Volume : X, Issue : VII, July - 2020

DETECTION OF FETAL MALNUTRITION BY CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS SCORE AT BIRTH AND COMPARING WITH WEIGHT FOR GESTATION AND PONDERAL INDEX.

Dr. S. Madhu

Abstract :

Introduction : Fetal malnutrition and the terms ‘small for gestational age’ (SGA) and ‘intrauterine growth retardation’ (IUGR) are not alike, one may happen without the other. Fetal malnutrition can be clinically measured by using the Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status (CAN) score. CAN score can estimate the occurrence of Fetal malnutrition among term newborns and is comparable to anthropometric criteria routinely used to assess fetal growth. Methodology: A prospective cohort study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital consisting of 100 full–term neonates over a period of three months. Newborns were classified into SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) based on Alexander growth curve. Fetal malnutrition was assessed using CAN score as a standard and compared with weight for gestation age and Ponderal index (PI) Results: CAN score identified 16% (n = 16) malnourished neonates and 84% (n = 84) of babies as well–nourished by keeping the cut–off value of <25. 10 percent of AGA babies and 70% of SGA babies were found to be well–nourished on compå weight for gestation age with CAN score. Nine babies were found to have FM using PI but by applying CAN score only 4 babies were found to have FM. The sensitivity and specificity of weight for gestational age were found to 94.12.% and 64.29%, respectively and that of PI 25% and 94%, respectively, when CAN score was taken as standard. Conclusion: This suggests that CAN score can recognize fetal malnourishment in those neonates, which are missed by other methods.