Moving Toward Remote, Parent-Reported Measurements in Pediatric Anthropometrics for Research and Practice

Frontiers in Pediatrics

article

Eliot N. Haddad¹  Tsoline Kojaoghlanian²  Sarah S. Comstock¹ 

[1] Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University;Department of Pediatrics, Maimonides Children's Hospital

关键词: pediatrics;    anthropometry;    remote measurement;    telemedicine;    parental report;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2022.838815

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Anthropometry is the study of human anatomical measurements and can provide insight into growth, energy/nutritional intake, physical fitness, and clinical care (1). Common anthropometric measurements include body/head circumferences, height, weight, and skinfold thickness. Such anthropometric measurements underlie further proxies for health/growth such as body mass index (BMI). The accurate attainment of body measurements and proportions is especially relevant to the field of pediatrics, where growth occurs rapidly and must be quantified in reliable and valid fashions. Anthropometry in pediatrics aids in the diagnosis of such conditions as stunting, wasting, congenital/acquired hormonal disturbances, brain development, and malnutrition (1). For example, the mid-upper arm circumference allows for insight into the nutritional status of a child or a pregnant woman. Similarly, length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length/height, and BMI-for-age are all useful as growth indicators in pediatric populations. These metrics are best reported as z-scores (number of standard deviations away from a reference median/mean) due to their ease of interpretation and ability to be statistically summarized (mean, median, quartiles) (2). In research, these data can be applied in epidemiological models to identify potential associations that can inform public policy to address population-level nutritional or lifestyle deficits. Clinically, anthropometric measurements directly inform diagnosis and assessment. Herein, we discuss how to approach remote pediatric anthropometry for research and healthcare during a pandemic, where physical engagement is limited.

【 授权许可】

CC BY