Variables
Maternal baseline characteristics, including demographic details,
obstetric history, and anthropometric measures at birth and perinatal
outcomes, were collected from the hospital maternity records.
Gestational age was calculated using maternal menstrual history or early
prenatal ultrasound (before 20 weeks). A low Apgar score was considered
below seven at the fifth minute. We used the standardized formula to
calculate the ponderal index and applied reference ranges to the entire
population (46,47). Similarly, the cephalization index (head
circumference [cm]/birth weight [g] × 100) was calculated and
applied to the entire population (48). The study protocol was approved
by the ethics committee of the University of Cartagena (Ethics committee
N 139, August 31, 2020).