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Anthropometric assessments in Nigerian children.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between psychomotor development and the anthropometric indices in a sample of Nigerian children.


DESIGN
A cross-sectional study.


SETTING
Anthropometric and developmental assessments were carried out on the subjects in research rooms or semi-opened spaces that were generally conducive for the display of developmental skills by children in the various study centres as follows: well baby/ immunisation clinic, nursery schools and religious centres.


SUBJECTS
Ninety six apparently healthy children aged 7.5, 10, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months (sixteen subjects in each age group) were assessed in the various study centres.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The anthropometric indices of weight, height and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured on each subject; who was in turn subsequently assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID): a performance developmental inventory.


RESULTS
The anthropometric indices of the subjects were found to steadily rise with age but below normal standard values for each corresponding age group. However, all the subjects scored above the normal minimal developmental index of 50 when assessed with the BSID.


CONCLUSION
The finding in this study is in line with the submission of earlier authors that malnutrition (as indicated by the anthropometric indices) on its own alone may not necessarily cause poor psychomotor development but perhaps in synergy with some other environmental factors linked with retarded development. Based on the anthropometric findings in this study, it is suggested by the authors that concerted efforts should be made to improve the nutritional states of the Nigerian children so as to, among other things, enhance their maximal developmental potential.