Analysis of the neonatal collective in the Federal Republic of Germany 12th report. Presentation of detailed percentiles for the body measurement of newborns

Based on the perinatal data from 1995-2000, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 25th 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th percentile values for birth weight, size (length), head circumference, and for length-related birth weight are presented for girls and boys. These data represent more precise percentile values, particularly for the early gestational weeks compared to the currently used German standard data from 1992 [1,2]. The following updates and modifications were made to the values from 1992: 1. Due to the large number of probands, we were able to establish percentile values already from the 20th completed week of gestation. 2. The calculation of the percentile values was made by means of the arithmetic mean (R) and the standard deviation (s), provided that the individual somatic measures were normally distributed. With this method, strongly differentiated percentile values could also be calculated. 3. In order to meet international standards, the values (x) over bar - 2 s and (x) over bar + 2 s are stated as well. We hope that the published percentile values will be applied soon for the somatic classification of newborns and that the data from 1992 will be replaced. For easier use a software programme will be available in the near future.