Anthropometry of U.S. Infants and Children 750423

This report presents the results of a three-year study designed to collect analyze, and reduce selected anthropometric data on 4027 infants and children representative of the current U.S. population ranging in age from newborn to 12 years of age. Since the major purpose was to provide basic measurement data most useful and critical to consumer product design, regulatory consideration, or other direct applications, 12 of the 41 measurements taken were applied measurements which have not been previously available. As an example of the direct application to product design, measurement of buttock depth on 3-to 6-month-old infants provided an objective basis for establishment of crib interslat distances.

A substantial portion of the study involved the design, fabrication, development, and testing of a new generation of anthropometric measuring devices which transmit measurement signals to a portable mini-computer data acquisition system or to a set of readout meters. These include highly modified anthropometers and calipers for lineal measurements and a hand-held girth measuring device for circumference measurements. A pressure transducer has been incorporated in the moving paddle blade of the calipers and anthropometers in order to achieve greater reproducibility in making soft tissue measurements on infants and small children where immature skeletal development often precludes use of standard adult landmarks. Numerous specialized devices to measure inside and outside grip dimensions, finger diameters, and minimum hand-through-hole diameters have also been developed. In addition, two sizes of portable center-of-gravity (C.G.) devices designed during the study are capable of instantaneously measuring seated or standing centers of gravity. These instruments have been incorporated for use with a Nova 1220 mini computer to provide a completely automated anthropometric measurement system for the majority of measurements taken.

The results presented in this report summarize the complete data which have been provided on magnetic tape for automated data analysis and retrieval. Each of the 41 measurements is defined and illustrated, and tabular charts are provided listing the mean, standard deviation, 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles by age and sex, and for combined sexes. In addition, the mean, 5th and 95th percentiles are shown graphically.