Birth anthropometric parameters in high and low altitude areas of Southwest Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To study the anthropometric parameters of Southwestern Saudi newborns in Abha (a high altitude area) and Baish (a sea level area of Southwestern Saudi Arabia); to compare these parameters with those of the United States Center for Disease Control 2000 growth charts and to estimate the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) among the study population.

Methods: The study sample included all births from Abha Central Hospital (N=4300), and all births from Baish General Hospital (N=1200), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from January 2001 to January 2003. Only term births (>37-42 weeks gestation) were included.