Dataset for Investigating the Accuracy of Caregiver-Child Weighing Method for Weigh Estimation in Paediatric Clinic

Description

Caregiver-Child weighing method of estimating children weight in paediatric is a globally recognized means of estimating children weight when direct weighing is impracticable. The method involve weighing the caregiver alone following weighing the caregiver while carrying a child and then subtracting the weight of the caregiver from the combined weight to estimate the weight of the child (Adekoje et al., 2016; WHO, 2012; Wilunda et al., 2024; Yayeh & Makua, 2025). However, recent studies on impact of external load on center of pressure have revealed that affect center of pressure thereby affecting weight registered on the scale (Caderby et al., 2017; Mohammed et al., 2025; Wells & Goldstein, 2020). Equally, Mafuyai et al. ( 2013b, 2013c, 2013a, 2018) opined that a person’s measured weight is not always fixed but varies with the person’s change in the lumbar spine posture relative to an upright position, this postural theory suggests that the external load (the child) affects the lumbar spine posture of the adult leading to shift in the center of gravity. Our hypothesis was therefore, caregiver-child weighing method introduces systematic error in estimated weight. We collected data from 317 adult-child pairs. Healthy children age 2-6 years were recruited with consent of their parents or guidance. Any child that was considered malnourished and too weak to stand on a scale by him/herself was excluded. Body weight was measured using a mechanical physician weighing scale (RGT.A-200-RT type) with an analogue dial and integrated height-measuring rod. The scale had a maximum weighing capacity of 200 kg with a readability of 0.1 kg (100 g), while the stadiometer measured height from 75 to 200 cm with 5 mm graduations. The scale was zero-adjusted before each measurement, and all weights were recorded in kilograms. The setup was positioned on the flat floor for all data collection followed WHO’s protocol on weight measurement (WHO, 2012).

Steps to reproduce

The setup was positioned on the flat floor for all data collection followed WHO’s protocol on weight measurement (WHO, 2012). For each adult-child pair, the following sequence of measurements was obtained: (i) The adult's weight and height were measured and recorded while standing alone on the scale. (ii) The child's weight and height were measured and recorded directly, with the child standing unassisted on the scale (iii) The adult held the child at their shoulder and the combined weight was measured and recorded. (iv). The adult then held the child at their hip and the combined weight was measured and recorded. To compare the method with other age-based methods such as original APLS, updated APLS, Best Guess, and Luscombe and Owens using Bland-Altman analysis, we estimated the weight use these methods References Adekoje, T., Ibeabuchi, M., & Lesi, F. A. (2016). Anthropometry of children with cerebral palsy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Journal of Clinical Sciences, 13(3), 96. https://doi.org/10.4103/2468-6859.185245 Caderby, T., Yiou, E., Peyrot, N., De Viviés, X., Bonazzi, B., & Dalleau, G. (2017). Effects of Changing Body Weight Distribution on Mediolateral Stability Control during Gait Initiation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00127 Mafuyai, M. Y., Babangida, G. B., Mador, E. S., Bakwa, D. D., & Jabil, Y. Y. (2013a). Increasing cases of low back pain in developed nations: A reciprocal effect of development. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3(5), 23–28. Mafuyai, M. Y., Babangida, G. B., Mador, E. S., Bakwa, D. D., & Jabil, Y. Y. (2013b). Reaction at the Inter-Vertebral Disc due to Variation of Posture of Lumbar Spine and the Consequences on the Lower Back pain. Journal of Science and Multidisciplinary Research, 5(2), 159–168. Mafuyai et al (2013c). Variation of the center of mass with changing posture of the lumbar spine. Journal of Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics, 26, 257–266. Mafuyai et al (2018). A 3-Model Postural Theory of Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP). International Journal of Science and Advanced Innovative Research, 3(4), 55–62. Mohammed et al (2025). The Relation between Different body weghts and Center of Pressure Displacement in adolescents during quiet standing: A review. Delta University Scientific Journal, 8(1), 160–179. Wells, M., & Goldstein, L. N. (2020). How and Why Paediatric Weight Estimation Systems Fail—A Body Composition Study. Cureus WHO. (2012). Combined course on growth assessment and IYCF counselling. WHO Press. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/23cb5de3-236a-4b4e-ae69-a620a5a96a4a/content Wilunda et al (2024). Comparison of indicators for assessing wasting among children younger than 5 years: A longitudinal study in northern Kenya. Nutrition. Yayeh, M. B., & Makua, M. G. (2025). Seasonal prevalence of child undernutrition and its associated factors in the west Gojjam zone, Ethiopia. Archives of Public Health, 8

Institutions

• University of Jos

  Plateau State, Jos

Categories

Licence