Growth assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic- Can we rely on Parental measurements of the children?

Abstract

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic changed the face of medicine, forcing the instant development of many remote medical services. During times of lockdown, growth assessment of children has to rely on their parents` reported measures. These measurements` accuracy is fundamental for proper clinical decision-making in all the fields of pediatrics. This study`s objectives were to assess the accuracy of home measurements of children by their parents and analyze their utility in clinical decision making.

Design: Prospective, single-center, observational study

Methods: The weight and height of children aged 3-18 years visiting our endocrine clinic were measured at home by their parents a day before visiting the clinic. Their parents were guided on proper height and weight measurements technic. The children were re-measured at the clinic, and the measurements were compared.

Results: One hundred and seven children (mean age 10.2±3.7, 56.1% males) participated in the study. The mean height difference between home and clinic measurements was not statistically significant [diff=0.1±1.3cm, (P=0.42)]. Weight and BMI were significantly higher when measured at the clinic compared to self-measurements [diff=0.45±0.8kg, (P<0.001) and diff=0.3±0.6kg/m2, (P<0.001) respectively]. Home measurements of height in overweight and obese children were significantly lower than at the clinic [DHeight=-0.65, IQR (-1,45, -0.20), P=0.011].

Conclusions: Height measurements of children by their parents is largely accurate except in obese and overweight children, whereas weight measurements tend to be lower than in the clinic. With proper guidance, we believe that the parents` home measurements of height and weight may be sufficient for everyday clinical decision making.