












































Nepas Journal 32-1 cs5 final.indd


Original Article

<1>J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

Antropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of 
Nepalese New Borns 

Malla K1, Mall T2, Rao S3, Gauchan E4, Basnet S5, Koirala DP6

1Dr. Kalpana K Malla, MBBS, MD,  Associate Professor, 2Dr. Tejesh Malla, MBBS, MD, Associate Professor, 3Sheshagiri Rao, 
MBBS, MD, Professor, 4Dr. Eva Gauchan, MBBS, MD, Lecturer, 5Dr. Sahisnuta Basnet, MBBS, MD, Lecturer, 6Dr. Deepak Prasad 
Koirala, MBBS, MD, Lecturer. All from the Department of Paediatrics, Manipal College of Medical Science, Pokhara, Nepal.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Kalpana Malla, E-mail: kalpana_malla@hotmail.com

Abstract
Introduction: There is a wide variation in normal birth weight, length and head circumference of newborns. 
The standards formulated by Western workers may not be very reliable to this part of world because of 
wide variations in normal range of length, weight and head circumference in different ethnic groups. This 
study aims to determine the anthropometric values – birth weight, length and head circumference in Term 
and Preterm newborns of different ethnic groups in this region of the country and to see if this can be 
used as a standard for taking the anthropometric measurements. Materials and Methods: A prospective 
study of 600 newborns born in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara from July 2009–June 2010. A detailed 
anthropometric measurement (weight, length, and head circumference) of all newborns was taken on 
3rd day of life. Results: Six major Ethnic groups were noted Brahmin, Gurung, Dalit, Chettri, Magar and 
Newar. There were 54 % males and 46% females among which 18.16% were preterms, 20.66% small for 
gestation age, 81.50% term and 0.33% posterm. The mean weight, length and head circumference of 
term babies were 2.817±0.61 gms, 47.68±2.48 cm, 33.56±2.02 cm and for preterm babies it was 2.215± 
0.41 gms, 46.36±2.39 cm, 32.23±2.03 cm respectively. There were 25% low birth weight (n=151, highest 
number in Brahmins-27%), 74.16% normal weight (n=445) and 0.66% over weight (n=4, all were gurungs) 
babies. In Term newborns weight, length and head circumference was noted to be highest in Gurungs 
(3.3004gms, 49.35cm, 34.72cm) and was statistically significant (p<0.000). Weight and length of Brahmins 
was lowest (2.578 gms, 45.49cm) and head circumference was lowest in Dalits (30.88cm, statistically 
significant<0.000). In case of preterms highest weight and length was seen in Magars (2.387gms, 
47.90cm) but head circumference was highest in Gurungs (34.18cm) whereas weight was lowest in chettri 
(2.1609gms), length in Brahmin (44.61cm) and OFC in Dalits (29.92cm). These parameters were directly 
proportion with gestation age and was statistically significant (p<0.000). Conclusion: The present study 
highlights the mean weight, length and head circumference of term and preterm newborns in different 
ethnic groups and gestation age. These parameters were directly proportion to gestation age but were 
variable in different Ethnic groups. Therefore a study in larger population could give us a different standard 
for anthropometric measurements in Nepalese newborns.

Key words: Anthropometry Measurements, N.ewborn, Nepal

Introduction

There is a wide variation in normal birth weight, length and head circumference of newborns. Diff erent 
standards of norms are used in diff erent parts of the world. 
Therefore the standards formulated by Western workers 
may not be very reliable to this part of world because 
of wide variations in normal range of length, weight 
and head circumference in diff erent ethnic groups. This 
study aims to determine the anthropometric values – 
birth weight, length and head circumference in Term 

and Preterm newborns of diff erent ethnic groups in this 
region of the country and to see if this can be used as a 
standard for taking the anthropometric measurements.

Materials and Methods

This is prospective observational study which was 
undertaken over a period of 1 year from July 2009 to June 
2010. Cases were enrolled from postnatal ward, these 
included babies delivered in Manipal Teaching Hospital, 
Pokhara (A tertiary care hospital of western region of the 

January-April, 2012/Vol 32/Issue 1
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.4880



<2> J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

country). Consent was taken from mothers after they 
were explained about the measurements. A total of 2000 
healthy term and preterm neonates were subjected to 
clinical examination. Gestational age was assessed 
according to the fi rst day of last menstrual period and 
was cross checked by Ballard scoring1. Anthropometric 
parameters that included; weight, length and occipito 
frontal circumference (OFC) were recorded on day 3 
of life so that the error due to skull molding and caput 
succedaneum for the head circumference and excess 
body fl uid loss in the initial days for weight loss could 
be eliminated. Common ethnic groups noted were 
Brahmins, Gurungs, Chettris, Dalits, Magars and Newars. 
Out of these 2000 babies 100 consequitive babies from 
each of the above mentioned ethnic groups (n= 600) 
were selected for the study. The remaining 1400 babies 
were excluded from the study. Normal and caeserian 
delivered babies of any sex, gestation age >32weeks and 
those from a high socioeconomic background (family 
income >5000 Rupees per month) were also included 
in the study. Exclusion criteria consisted of babies with 
congenital anomalies, chromosomal anomalies, babies 
measured 3 days before or after birth, gestational age ≤ 
32 weeks, birth weight ≤ 1500gms, preterm babies with 
complications, ill babies and maternal illness during 
antenatal period. Detail anthropometric measurements 
were taken by the same persons to minimize subjective 
error. Same weighing scale and same measuring tape 
were used to take the weight and head circumference 
respectively. Infantometer was used to take the length. 
Data collected was tabulated and analyzed using 
statistical package SPSS 19.0 version. Microsoft Excel 
(2003) and SPSS were used for plotting fi gures. Two 
tailed t-test was used to compare the anthropometric 
parameters (birth weight, length, head circumference) 
of diff erent ethnic groups. 

Results

There were 326/600 (54%) males and 274/600 
(46%) females (Figure 1). Classifi cation of newborns 
in relation to gestation age showed that small for 
gestation age (SGA) babies (20.66%) were more than 
the preterm babies (18.16%, Table 1). There were 77.16% 

appropriate for age (AGA) and 2.16% large for gestation 
age (LGA) babies. Highest number of both SGA (27.41%) 
and Preterms (33.02%) were observed in the Brahmin 
population (Figure 2). Preterms were higher in Brahmin, 
Newar and Magar and SGA was higher in Dalit, Gurung 
and Chettri populations (Figure 2). 9/13 LGA was noted in 
Gurungs (Figure 2 and Table 1). The Mean±SD for weight, 
length and OFC for term babies were 2.8177±0.61gms, 
47.68±2.48cm, 33.56±2.02cm respectively and for 
preterm babies it was 2.2153±0.41gms, 46.36±2.39cm, 
32.23± 2.03 cm respectively (Table 2). Table 2 also 
shows these parameters in diff erent Ethnic groups 
where the mean±SD for weight, length, OFC for 
Brahmin was 2.5788±0.59gms (Term), 2.2016±0.49gms 
(preterm); 45.49±3.48cm (term) 44.61±3.22cm 
(Preterm); 33.41±2.29cm (Term) 33.02 ±2.16cm 
(Preterm) respectively. Similarly for Gurung this was 
3.3004±0.58gms (Term) 2.1166±0.48gms(preterm); 
49.35±1.41cm (Term), 47.83±1.38cm(Preterm); 
34.72±0.81cm (Term), 34.18±0.78cm(Preterm); Dalit 
2.6079± 0.43gm (Term), 2.2153±0.41gms (Preterm); 
46.49±2.22cm (Term), 45.07±2.16cm (Preterm); 30.88 
±1.96cm (Term), 29.92±1.87cm (Preterm); Chettri 
2.7305±0.52gms (Term) 2.1609±0.38gms (Preterm; 
47.93±1.84cm (Term), 47.45cm±1.81 (Preterm; 
34.08±1.10cm (Term), 33.81±0.98cm (Preterm); Magar 
2.8870±0.6gms (Term), 2.3875±0.87gms (Preterm), 
48.49±1.61cm (Term), 47.90±1.56cm (Preterm); 
33.79±1.52cm (Term), 33.55±1.46cm (Preterm); Newar 
2.8000±0.56gms (Term), 2.3260±0.48gms (Preterm); 
48.33±1.37cm (Term) 47.69±1.28cm (Preterm); 34.51±1. 
(Term) 34.09±1.27cm (Preterm) respectively. Figure 3 
shows weight and Figure 4 shows OFC in diff erent ethnic 
groups where it is observed that highest number of 
Low birth babies (LBW) was found in Brahmins (27.15%) 
followed by Magar (19.86%), Newar (17.21%), Dalit 
(14.56 %), Chettri (13.90%). Only 7.28% LBW was seen 
in Gurung population (Figure 3). OFC was < 33cm in 
maximum babies (80%) in Dalits, which was statistically 
signifi cant (Table 3). Correlation of weight, length and 
OFC with gestation age was also seen (Table 4) and these 
parameters were directly proportion to gestation age 
and was statistically signifi cant (p<0.000).

Female - 46%

Male - 54%

Fig 1: Distribution of sex of babies

Antropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of Nepalese New Borns



<3>J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

Table 1: Mean birth weight for gestational age in six ethnic groups.

Gestation age SGA AGA LGA Total
Brahmin : Preterm
Term
Posterm

19
15
0

17
49
0

0
0
0

36
64
0

Gurung: Preterm
Term
Posterm

3
4
0

3
81
0

0
9
0

6
94
0

Dalit : Preterm
Term
Posterm

6
12
0

7
75
0

0
0
0

13
87
0

Chettri: Preterm
Term
Posterm

9
10
0

2
75
2

0
2
0

11
87
2

Magar: Preterm
Term
Posterm

10
14
0

10
64
0

0
2
0

20
80
0

Newar: Preterm
Term
Posterm

13
9
0

10
68
0

0
0
0

23
77
0

Total 124 (20.66%) 463 (77.16%) 13 (2.16%) 600

*Preterm (<37 weeks) n=109 (18.16%), **Term (37-42 weeks) n= 489 (81.50%), ***Posterm (>42 weeks) n=2 (0.33%), ***Small 
for gestation age n=124 (20.66%)

Table 2: Mean± SD of weight, length and OFC of babies in diff erent ethnic groups 

Ethnic group of babies Mean Weight ± SD Mean Length± SD Mean OFC± SD
Brahmin: 
 Term 
 Preterm 

2.5788±0.59632
2.2016 ± 0.49012

45.4900±3.48299
44.6109±3.22456

33.4100±2.29666
33.027±2.16751

Gurung: 
 Term 
 Preterm 

3.3004±0.58373
2.2166± 0.48465

49.3500±1.41689
47.8331±1.38796

34.7200±0.81749
34.1830±0.78910

Dalit : 
 Term 
 Preterm 

2.6097±0.43009
2.2153±0.41981

46.4900±2.22699
45.0760±2.16589

30.8800±1.96062
29.9230±1.87675

Chettri: 
 Term
 Preterm 

2.7305±0.52709
2.1609±0.38976

47.9300±1.84913
47.4541±1.81987

34.0800±1.10718
33.8180±0.98478

35.00%

30.00%

25.00%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%
Brahmin Chettri Magar Newar

Preterm SGA

Gurung Dalit

Fig 2: Distribution of preterm and SGA babies in diff erent Ethnic Groups

Malla K et al



<4> J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

Magar: 
 Term 
 Preterm 

2.8870±0.65738
2.3875±0.8798

48.4900±1.61117
47.9000±1.56689

33.7900±1.52617
33.5500±1.46876

Newar: 
 Term 
 Preterm 

2.8000±.56707
2.3260±0.48065

48.3300±1.37109
47.6956±1.2887

34.5100±1.30651
34.0998±1.27651

Total: 
 Term 
 Preterm 

2.8177±0.61149
2.2153±0.41075

47.6800±2.48083
46.3600±2.39100

33.5650±2.02961
32.2310± 0.03891

Table 3: Comparison of Anthropometric measurements in diff erent Ethnic groups

t Df p value t df p value
Brahmin vs Gurung 

 Weight
 Length
 OFC

-8.647
-10.266
-5.374

198
198
198

0.000
0.000
0.000

Gurung vs Newar
Weight
Length

OFC

6.149
5.173
1.363

198
198
198

0.000
0.000
0.000

Brahmin vs Dalit

 Weight
 Length 
 OFC 

-.420
-2.419
8.378

198
198
198

0.675
0.016
0.000

Dalit vs Chettri
Weight
Length

OFC

.171
-1.279

-13.519

198
198
198

0.864
0.203
0.000

Brahmin vs Chettri

 Weight
 Length 
 OFC 

-1.906
-6.188
-2.628

198
198
198

0.058
0.000
0.009

Dalit vs Magar
Weight
Length

OFC

-1.289
-1.279
-9.522

198
198
198

0.199
0.203
0.000

Brahmin vs Magar

 Weight 
 Length 
 OFC 

-3.472
-7.817
-1.378

198
198
198

0.001
0.000
0.170

Dalit vs Newar
Weight
Length

OFC

.186
-1.396

-10.446

198
198
198

0.754
0.138
0.000

Brahamin vs Newar

 Weight 
 Length 
 OFC 

-2.688
-7.587
-4.163

198
198
198

0.008
0.000
0.000

Chettri vs Magar
Weight
Length

OFC

-1.461
.000

2.443

198
198
198

0.146
1.000
0.015

Gurung vs Dalit

 Weight 
 Length 
 OFC 

-.469
3.590

17.910

198
198
198

0.640
0.000
0.000

Chettri vs, Newar
Weight
Length

OFC

-.898
-1.738
-2.511

198
198
198

0.370
0.084
0.013

Gurung vs Chettri

 Weight 
 Length 
 OFC 

-.315
2.809
4.820

198
198
198

0.753
0.005
0.000

Magar Vs Newar
Weight
Length

OFC

1.002
.756

-3.584

198
198
198

0.318
0.450
0.000

Gurung vs Magar
 Weight
 Length
 OFC

-1.643
2.809
6.482

198
198
198

0.102
0.005
0.000

Antropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of Nepalese New Borns



<5>J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

100.00%

90.00%

80.00%

70.00%

60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
Brahmin NewarGurung

LBW Normal Weight Overweight

Dalit Chettri Magar

Fig 3: Distribution of weight in diff erent Ethnic Groups
***LBW (<2500gms, n=151) 25%, **Normal weight (2500gms-3.999gms, n=445) 74.16%,
* Overweight (>4000gm, n=4) 0.66%

Table 4: Correlation of weight, length and OFC with gestation age 

Gestation age of 
children

Weight
Spearman 

Correlation Value

Approx. 
Sig

p value
Normal LBW LGA

N0. % No. % No. %
<37 weeks
(n=109)

25 22.9 84 77 0 0

0.544 0.000
37-42 weeks
(n=489)

418 85 67 13.7 4 0.81

>42 weeks
(n=2)

2 100 0 0 0 0

Total
(N=600)

445 100 151 0 4 0

Gestation age of 
children

Length
Spearman 

Correlation Value
Approx. 

Sig
<45cm 45-50cm >50cm

No. % No. % No. %
<37 weeks
(n=109)

30 27.5 78 71.55 1 0.91

0.262 0.00037-42 weeks
(n=489)

34 6.92 405 82.8 50 10.22

>42 weeks (n=2) 0 0 1 50 1 50
Total
(N=600)

64 485 51

Gestation age of 
children

OFC
Spearman 

Correlation Value
Approx. 

Sig
<33cm 33-35cm >35cm

No. % No. % No. %
<37 weeks
(n=109)

38 34.86 71 65.13 0 0

0.146 0.006
37-42 weeks
(n=489)

107 21.88 351 71.77 31 6.33

>42 weeks
(n=2)

0 0 1 50 1 50

Total
(N=600)

145 424 31

Malla K et al



<6> J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

Discussion

The term anthropometric refers to comparative 
measurements of the body and is important indicator 
of child survival. The periodic measurement of 
anthropometric variables in diff erent populations 
and regions of a country refl ect changes in nutrition 
and health status of the country and is a reliable 
tool to evaluate social health2,3. the anthropometric 
measurements commonly used as indices of growth 
include length, weight, and head circumference.  These 
measurements utilized at present time are based on 
the results obtained for more than fi ve decades, which 
are not able to determine a national pattern most likely 
due to some ethnic infl uences4 In addition Genetic 
diff erences exist among races regarding growth and 
body composition3. Some investigators have also argued 
for ethnic-specifi c standards    5,6. Although the World 
Health Organization (WHO) advises a single international 
growth standard for developing countries7,8, the ideal 
is to establish local national growth charts refl ecting 
each country’s own genetic characteristics. Hence this 
analytical descriptive study was carried out to observe 
the diff erences in these parameters in diff erent gestation 
age and ethnic groups.

In this study, out of 600 newborns there were 326 
(54%) males and 274 (46%) females. Brahmin, Gurung, 
Dalit, Chettri, Magar and Newar were the 6 major ethnic 
groups attending this hospital for delivery. There were 
124(20.66%) SGA {birth weight < 10th percentile for 
gestational age}, 109 (18.16%) preterms {born at < 37 
completed weeks}, 463(77.16%). Appropriate for age 
(AGA) and 13 (2.16%) Large for gestation age (LGA- 
weight 90th percentile for gestational age) babies- 
using the reference ranges provided by Alexander et al9. 

Our fi nding was diff erent from another study10 where 
prematurity was observed in 25.5% and SGA in 14.1% 
of the neonates. The reason for this may be that the 
adverse intrauterine environment and other risk factors 
vary in diff erent countries.

Highest number of SGA (27.41%) and preterms 
(33.02%) were seen in Brahmin compared to other 
Ethnic Groups. Whereas highest number of large for 
date babies (LGA) 9/13 was seen in Gurung population. 
Number of preterms was higher than SGA in Brahmin, 
Newar and Magar and SGA was higher than Preterms 
in Dalit, Gurung, Chettri populations. Prematurity 
and SGA prevalence refl ects an adverse intrauterine 
environment; hence comparisons of risk factors at birth 
like primiparous vs multiparous mothers, smoker’s vs 
nonsmokers, twin’s vs singletons, in detail should be 
considered which was not seen in this study. If these 
factors were considered maybe we could explain why 
in some ethnic groups SGA was common and preterm 
in others. The observed Mean± SD of weight, length 
and OFC for term babies were 2.8177±0.61 gms, 
47.68±2.48cm, 33.56±2.02cm respectively and for 
preterm babies it was 2.2153±0.41075 gms, 46.36±2.39 
cm, 32.23±2.03 cm respectively. The fi ndings of term 
babies were comparable to study conducted by 
Manandhar K, Manandhar DS et al 11 in Kathmandu and 
S Muthayya, P Dwarkanath et al12 in south India. This 
similarity could have been due to similar population 
and cultural backgrounds. In another study conducted 
by B. Telatar, S. Comert et al13 mean birth weight, height 
and head circumference was 3334 (SD 494) gm, 48.3 
(SD 2.2) cm and 34.4 (SD 1.3) cm respectively which was 
greater than our study. Yet another study by Nahar et al14 
reported a birth weight of 2690gm (SD= 0.36) which was 

Fig 4: OFC in diff erent Ethnic Groups

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

0%
Brahmin Gurung NewarDalit Chettri Magar

Brahmin Gururng Dalit Chettri Magar Newar
 <33 cm 20% 0% 80% 11% 24% 10%
 33-35 cm 75% 90% 20% 89% 76% 74%
 >35 cm 5% 10% 0% 0% 0% 16%

Antropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of Nepalese New Borns



<7>J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

lower than in our study. These two studies were carried 
out in Iceland and Bangladesh respectively and the 
diff erences in demographic factor, diff erent population 
and cultural backgrounds again could have made a 
diff erence in the results. A study by Hickey states that 
sociocultural dimensions, ethnicity, social support etc 
can also aff ect the gestational weight gain15.

The mean weight of preterm babies was much 
less (1780 gm) in another study16 compared to ours 
(2.2153gms). The reason for this is that in our study 
gestation age ≤32 weeks and weight ≤ 1500gms was 
not taken into consideration whereas all preterms 
was included in above mentioned study. For preterm 
comparable study was not available for length and 
OFC. These parameters when compared with diff erent 
Ethnic groups showed that in Term newborns weight, 
length and OFC was noted to be highest in Gurungs 
(3.3004gms, 49.35cm, 34.72cm) and was statistically 
signifi cant (p<0.000).Weight and length of Brahmins 
was lowest (2.578 gms, 45.49cm) and OFC was lowest 
in Dalits (30.88cm, statistically signifi cant<0.000). In 
case of preterms highest weight and length was seen 
in Magars (2.387gms, 47.90cm) but OFC was highest in 
Gurungs (34.18cm) whereas weight was lowest in chettri 
(2.1609gms), length in Brahmin (44.61cm) and OFC in 
Dalits (29.92cm). The diff erence between the diff erent 
Ethnic groups could be due to varying, socioeconomic, 
nutritional and environmental factors of the underlying 
population as already mentioned earlier. Factors other 
than ethnicity include altitude, maternal size, parity, 
smoking, parental social position which can aff ect fetal 
growth and could confound the ethnic diff erences which 
has been observed in numerous other studies5,6,17,          18. 
These factors were also present in our study but was not 
analyzed in detail.

WHO defi nes Low Birth Weight (LBW) as birth 
weight less than 2500gms. The defi nition of LBW does 
not take into account the gestation period.LBW observed 
in our study was 25% which is lower than that observed 
in another study which was 37.75 %10. Even within the 
country 29.8% and 28.6% LBW was noted in two other 
studies carried out in western region hospital, Pokhara 
in 2004 (7 years ago)19 and Sarlahi in 2007(5years ago)20. 
The fi rst study was done in same city Pokhara but it is 
observed that in present study the rate of LBW has 
decreased. The probable cause for this diff erence may 
be the low educational and socioeconomic status of 
the mothers in the previous study. As western region 
hospital is a government hospital, so mothers attending 
that hospital are probably from lower socioeconomic 
group. Lower birth weight in this study indicates the 
poor socioeconomic status of the mothers. Decrease in 
LBW cases in 7 years time may also indicate improvement 
in health status of the country, awareness in people 

regarding antenatal care. Yet in another study21 carried 
out in same city pokhara 3 years ago (2008) out of 
400 newborns only 8.5% was found to be LBW, which 
is much lower than our fi ndings. This diff erence may 
be due to the fact that their study included only term 
babies whereas our study has included term as well as 
preterm babies.

Highest number of Low birth babies (LBW) were 
found in Brahmins (27.15%) followed by Magar (19.86%), 
Newar (17.21%), Dalit (14.56%), Chettri (13.90%). Only 
7.28% LBW was seen in Gurung population. The reason 
for the Gurungs to be heavier, longer, and with larger 
heads than other groups may be due to the fact that 
genetically they are of heavy built and has a good 
nutrition status. A data analysis done in 200419 where 
the group was divided as Indo-Aryan (Brahmin, Chettris 
of our group) and lower caste (Dalit of our group) 
ethnic groups had signifi cantly lower weight babies 
than Tibeto-Burman (Gurung, Magar of our group) and 
Newar groups. This was consistent with our study. Like 
their fi ndings Brahmin and Dalit had lower weight than 
other Ethnic groups. Again they found that Tibeto –
Burman group and Newars had higher birth weight, this 
was again similar with our study. This similarity in the 
fi ndings may support our fi nding in establishing ethnic 
specifi c standard. 

Other two parameters of length and head 
circumference in diff erent Ethnic groups were also 
compared in our study. A comparable study for this in 
diff erent Ethnic groups of the country was not available. 
Hence we can state that possibly this is the fi rst study 
of this kind, so it is not possible to conclude anything 
for these parameters. However irrespective of any 
ethnic groups the mean length and OFC of Nepalese 
newborns noted by Manandhar K, Manandhar DS et 
al11 was 49cm and 33.8cm respectively and mean OFC 
noted by Sreeramareddy CT, Chuni N, Patil R, Singh D, 
Shakya B21 was 33.5cm which was comparable to our 
study. Correlation of gestation age with weight, length 
and OFC was also seen and these parameters were 
directly proportion to gestation age and was statistically 
signifi cant (p<0.000). Similar correlation was also 
observed in another study22.

Conclus       ion 

Periodical updating of anthropometric variables in 
diff erent populations in a country is necessary to refl ect 
ongoing changes in local conditions. The limitation of this 
study is that the anthropometric values obtained refl ect 
the results of only one hospital and a limited population; 
hence generalization to the whole Nepalese Population 
cannot be made. Furthermore our study is population-
based, rather than hospital-based, which makes the 
selection biased. Other factors which could aff ect fetal 

Malla K et al



<8> J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc.

growth were not analyzed. Despite these limitations, we 
believe that our results could provide a useful analytic 
comparison tool for future research. Therefore we would 
reccomend parallel studies to be made in various regions 
of the country comprising multiple socio-economic, 
nutritional, cultural backgrounds, so that comparative 
analyses could be made with newfound results. The 
practical application of ethnic-specifi c standards 
requires further research in a larger scale.

Acknowledgements: None
Funding: None
Confl ict of Interest: None
Permission from IRB: Yes

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Antropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of Nepalese New Borns

How to cite this article ?
Malla K, Mall T, Rao S, Gauchan E, Basnet S, Koirala DP. Antropometric Measurements in Diff erent Ethnic groups of Nepalese 
New Borns. J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2012;32(1):1-8.


