Abstract

VELAZQUEZ NODA, Danys; PORTO RODRIGUEZ, Silvia  and  SANTANA PORBEN, Sergio. Metcoff´s survey as a tool in the nutritional status assessment of premature newborns. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 2007, vol.79, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3119.

The functional features of Metcoff´s survey are presented after being used in the assessment of the nutritional  status of 70 babies that were born before the 37th  week of gestation, in “Ramón González Coro” Gyneco-obstetric Hospital, from June 2003 to January 2005. At the time of birth, each child was taken selected anthropometric measurements, which served to establish the neonatal nutritional status, in accordance with the  curves of intrauterine growth adopted by the institution. Metcoff´s survey was applied before the obtention of these measurements. The study series was divided into two similar groups of males and females.  97.2 % of the neonates had between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation at the moment of birth.  40.0 % of the patients seen had a simultaneous affection of weight and supine length. Only the head circumference increased with gestational age. According to Metcoff´s scoring, 81.4 % of the neonates had stigmata of extrauterine malnutrition. The sensitivity of Metcoff´s survey was equal to or higher than  90.0 % compared to other indicators of newborn nutrition status, although at the expense of  a specificity lower than 50.0 %. The low specificity of Metcoff´s survey suggests the possibility to recognize possible tissue depletion signs in preterm children with preserved intrauterine growth rates.

Keywords : Intrauterine malnutrition; Metcoff´s survey; retarded intrauterine growth; nutritional status assessment; anthropometry; neonatology.

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