Abstract
An objective monitoring of the changes of body constitution by means of selected parameters becomes possible under the presumption of existing representative reference standards. These reference data should be kept up to date.
In the years 2001-2004, a cross-sectional study of linear, width, circumference and particularly head dimensions was carried out to achieve a general overview of the physical status of Czech 0-3.49-year-old children as a separate part of the 6th Nationwide Anthropological Survey of children and adolescents, Czech Republic, 2001. The file consists of 3124 children (1579 boys, 1545 girls).
The anthropometric data were collected according to a standardized (Martin-Saller's) method or its modification. For statistical comparison sorting of the age categories according to the WHO recommendation was made.
Our data were compared (Student's t-test, Z-score) with the results of the previous surveys of Czech children. In our paper we present part of the results - recumbent length (0-1.99 y.), standing height (2.00-3.49 y.), body weight, chest circumference taken across the mesosternal point, transverse chest diameter, antero-posterior chest diameter, index of antero-posterior and transverse chest diameters and relative growth of somatic dimensions (% of the adult size, % of the birth size).
Comparison of our study and the 6th Nationwide Anthropological Survey of children and adolescents, Czech Republic, 2001 in selected diameters - recumbent length (0-1.99 y.), standing height (2.00-3.49 y.) and body weight - didn't show statistically significant differences of the mean values (except 0-0.99 month-old children). Therefore our study could offer useful data on contemporary children 0-3.49 years of age to paediatricians, anthropologists and the general public for their use either in basic research or in the clinical practice.
Comparison of results of our study and previous anthropological surveys which were carried out in 1961-64 and in the years 1983-87 could indicate that increases of the mean values in recumbent length, standing height and body weight are accompanied with decreases of the mean values in chest circumference, transverse and antero-posterior chest diameters.