Contents:
- Medical Video: How accurate are ultrasounds in determining the size of a baby?
- Measuring a baby's growth is not only from the weight and length of the body
- 1. Head circumference
- 2. Upper arm circumference
- Does your baby have a Health Towards Card (KMS)?
Medical Video: How accurate are ultrasounds in determining the size of a baby?
Most parents only see the growth of their babies based on their weight and length or height. In fact, there are other important things to look at when measuring a baby's growth. This measurement must also be done every month so that you know whether the baby is really healthy and growing normally. What are other ways to measure a baby's growth?
Measuring a baby's growth is not only from the weight and length of the body
How often do you take your child to the Posyandu or the nearest health service? You should often bring it to health services to see its development and growth. There are other measurement indicators that you should pay attention to besides the baby's weight and length. Here's the explanation.
1. Head circumference
Usually, in addition to measuring body weight and length, the baby will be measured in circumference of his head. In periods under 2 years, head circumference is a measurement that must be done as an indicator of whether the baby is growing healthy or not.
Head circumference which is too small indicates that the baby's growth is not good. This can also be associated with a lack of protein and chronic energy in infants. The reason is, babies under the age of 2 years are very susceptible to malnutrition. Especially if the mother does not give her milk or needed nutrition. Now, from this measurement of head circumference, you can find out whether the baby has fulfilled his nutritional needs.
In addition, a small head circumference can also indicate that the baby may experience a health disorder called microcephalus. This condition indicates that the baby's brain is not well developed and will affect the ability of the brain to mature.
While a large head circumference can indicate that your child has some health problems, one of them is hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the head enlarges due to too much fluid. If your child has an abnormal size of head circumference, you should immediately discuss this with your pediatrician.
2. Upper arm circumference
Maybe many parents don't know that the upper arm circumference is one way to measure baby growth that is important every month. This measurement is also done to find out if your child has a chronic malnutrition problem.
Why is measuring the circumference of the arm over the baby important? The arm is the part of the body that stores fat reserves, so to know if someone has enough fat, he can measure the circumference of his arm.
The small upper arm circumference is a sign that the baby does not have enough fat reserves. This can mean the baby lacks protein and energy. Usually, this measurement is done if your child has it nutritional status which is lacking, seen from the weight and length of his body at that time.
Conversely, if your child's arm circumference exceeds normal, it means he has excessive fat reserves and can be a sign of being overweight or even certain health problems. Therefore, you should immediately discuss this with your pediatrician.
Does your baby have a Health Towards Card (KMS)?
If you go to the nearest health service, you will usually be given cards heading for health (KMS) shaped like a book to make it easier for you to monitor your child's growth. Not only does it measure the baby's growth from body weight and length, KMS will also remind you at any age your child must get immunization.
So, make sure you take your baby to health services regularly and get a KMS from a health worker who handles your child.
