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Percentile Reference Curves for the Length and Head Circumference of Infants
Aged 0-1 Years in Hainan Province, China

M. Qiu, X. Hu, and Y. Xuan 3
2
1
Faculty of Nursing, Fudan University, China, Nursing Department, Children’s Hospital of Fudan
1 2
3
University, China, and Nursing Department, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Centre, China

Background: The first year of a child’s life, known as infancy, is a crucial phase of growth and development.
The examination of growth indicators during this period can not only indicate infant nutrition but also reflect
a country’s economic status. These growth indicators primarily encompass anthropometric
measurements, such as length and head circumference. Hainan, the southernmost province and
second-largest island in China, has geographical and climatic distinct from those of other regions in China.
However, due to funding reasons, specific length and head circumference percentile reference values for
infants aged 0-1 years in Hainan have not been explicitly provided.

Objective: To establish percentile reference curves for infant length and head circumference in
Hainan Province based on sex and age (in months) and compare them with the 2022 national
standards and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 2,736 infants (1,471 boys and 1,265 girls) in 18 cities and
counties in Hainan Province. Standardized instruments were used to measure head circumference
and length. Reference values for the length and head circumference of infants in Hainan were
determined using the LMS method. Curves were generated using LMS Chart Maker software.

Results: According to the newly established reference curves, the length and head circumference of
infants in Hainan exhibited a consistent trend of steady growth. However, the average head
circumference was below the 2022 national reference values and WHO standards. The mean length
was lower than the new national reference values but roughly consistent with the WHO standards.

Conclusion: The established reference curves are instrumentals in identifying, preventing, and managing
stunting, microcephaly, macrocephaly, and other growth abnormalities in Hainan infants. Compared with
the national and global averages, differences in infant length and head circumference exist in Hainan.
However, we did not offer a comprehensive evaluation of growth. More researches about weight are
needed in the future.

Keywords: Hainan, head circumference, infant, length, percentile reference curves

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Poster Presentation Abstracts
Correspondence: Xiaojing Hu, Nursing Department, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, China
E-mail: humama2015@126.com

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