How to asses the Nutritional status of the baby

There are 4 ways by which we can asses the nutritional status of any baby as stated by the WHO :

1- Anthropometric measures : 

These are measures indicating the nutritional status of the baby :-

- Height for the age : for every child there is growth curve by which we can know if the baby is normal , low normal , etc..... , If the height is decreased in relation  to the age this indicate chronic malnutrition . 

-Weight for the age : if decreased it indicate acute malnutrition 

- Skin fold test : by punching the skin of the baby we can detect loss in the subcutaneous fat if present . 

- Measuring the circumference of the skeletal muscle : the most common is the upper part of the arm , by which we can detect muscle wasting . 

2- Clinical history :

Speaking with the mother about the condition of the baby may be good key to asses the status of the nutrition .

3- Dietary evaluation  :

Taking a full dietary history is so relevant to know when the weaning start and the quality and technique of breast feeding . 

4- laboratory findings : 

As measuring the plasma proteins , iron , etc .... but it is of low importance if compared to other methods of assessment .