OBSERVATIONS ON INTRAUTERINE GROWTH IN URBAN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A total of 3144 deliveries comprising a wide range of socio-economic groups in Addis Abeba were investigated. A positive correlation was found between family income and birth wt, with a difference of nearly 500 g between the extremes of socio-economic classes. A seasonal variation in mean birth wt was observed. The mean length of gestation was 7.4 days shorter, and the anthropometric measures at birth were significantly lower in the Ethiopian infants as compared with the Swedish norm. The median wt and length development in relation to gestational age in the Ethiopian newborns was similar to the Swedish standard up to approximately 34-35 wk of gestation. After that time there was very little further intrauterine growth in Ethiopian infants. The possible reasons for the observed pattern of growth were discussed.