[The significance and use of somatometric reference values of weight and height in pediatric and epidemiologic practice]. / Significado y empleo de las referencias somatométricas de peso y talla en la práctica pediátrica y epidemiológica.

If we know growth as cellular phenomenon to addition of matter to protoplasm, is valid how a generic phenomenon, within normality range, is a species attribute, and in the human would be of psychosocial order. It is a appointed with only somatometrie is not valid criterion in the diagnosis of desnutrition, but is a excellent point in order to identification of risk population. In this order is necessary reference values useful, well elaborated, with adequate samples. It is commented about weight and height as a adequate parameters for measuring growth. It is convenient the adoption of an unique international somatometric reference tables if we considered growth how a generic and species phenomenons. Were analyzed 2 works of reference tables used in our country. Finally is commented the convenience of use of an unique international reference tables. It is proposed the somatometric reference tables published for the WHO, in 1983, and were discussed the razons for this recommendation.

[The influence of psychosocial deprivation and body composition on plasma gonadotrophins in children and adolescents]. / La influencia de la deprivación psicosocial y la composición corporal sobre las gonadotrofinas plasmáticas en niños y adolescentes.

The plasma concentrations of FSH and LH were measured in 250 boys with psychosocial deprivation (PSD) aged 9.0-15.9 years and in 357 clinically healthy boys of the same age. The results were correlated with chronological age (CA), weight, height and calculated lean body mass (LBM) and total body fat (TBT). On a group basis, PSD boys had the clinical onset of puberty at 13.9 years, while healthy boys did so at 11.9 years. In both groups, the mean weights at time of initiation of the adolescent growth spurt and time of peak velocity of weight gain were very close to each other and the same phenomenon was true for their heights and the amount of LBM. Based on CA mean plasma FSH concentrations in PSD boys and a steep rise two years later than in healthy boys; however, when analyzed as a function of body weight, height or LBM, no such difference emerged. On the other hand, mean plasma LH concentrations in PSD boys were higher than in healthy boys only up to 12.9 years, 42.9 kg of body weight, a height of 142.0 cms and LBM of 32.0 kg; however, no steep rise in plasma LH was observed in contrast to healthy boys. No correlations was observed between TBF and plasma gonadotropins. Therefore, although on the basis of CA, PSD boys had a delayed onset in plasma gonadotropins changes, this occurred in association with the attainment of similar body weight, height and LBM as in healthy boys.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Analysis of 2 studies of weight and height separated by a 50-year interval in children of Mexico City]. / Análisis de dos estudios de peso y talla hechos con 50 años de diferencia en niños de la ciudad de México.

The investigation of somatometric values to be used as reference patterns for Mexican children has de be scanty; the author mentions the most significant works carried out within the last 50 years. Considering that the material is comparable and in view of the magnitude of the samples, (4,757 vs. 5,533 cases) the author analyses the values published in 1926 and his own (1975). Differences in weight, height and corporal surface were found in both sexes at 5 years, which gradually increases to become quite marked at 17 years of age. At the same time, there was acceleration in development which was calculated in 14 months within 50 years; thus, in 1926, menarche was expected at 159 months of age when the average weight reached 45,600 gms. and height was 149.5 cm., while at present, it is expected at 144 months, with same weight and height. The rate weight/height has remained unchanged, but the silhouette has changed because of greater relative growth of the lower segment. The author comments that these changes, favorable to the privileged groups may not be found in the rural areas and that in some places, the height in females is gradually decreasing at the rate of 1 cm, every 5 years, which means a remarkable impairment.

[Somatometry in the full-term newborn infant (preliminary report)]. / Somatometría en el recién nacido a término (Communicación preliminar)

As a preliminary comunication, the authors report a somatometric study carried out in 315 full term newborns from different socioeconomic situation; 152 were born at the Hospital General, S.S.A. and 163, in a private hospital where middle and high class families are attended. The information is grouped on whether measurements are related to physical growth, th state of nutrition or to physical development. Several conditions which necessarily must be taken as independent variables in a study of this sort, such as the age of the parents, but specially of the mother, the period of gestation and of course, the socioeconomic level, were analyzed. The finding of up to 17% of case with height under 47 cm. and/or weight under 2,500 g., outstands the necessity to study the homeorrhesis phenomenon as a very important detail in this type of material.

[New aspects in the classification of the nutritional status]. / Nuevos aspectos en la clasificación del estado de nutrición

Considerin recent advances in nutrition somatometry the authors set forth the necessity to bring up to date Gomex's classification with the idea to incorporate other parameters, besides weight, in its application. To this respect, they propose the use of standard deviation as unity to measure the differences between actual values and those taken as reference patterns. Such system offers the advantage to make applicable to all ages the classification mentioned and to obtain an easier and more realistic somatometric comparison among different groups. Other considerations are made on the use of Gomez's classification and examples are set to base their propositions with data from a somatometric inquest.