Maternal and Child Health Bureau HomeModule IntroTable of ContentsGlossary
Training Module: Accurately Weighing and Measuring: Technique

Measuring Infant Length
Choose a sectionSection 1Section 2Section 3Section 4Section 5Section 6Section 7Section 8Section 9Section 10
 


4. Measuring Infant Length: Quality of Measurements

The measurer at the feet should read aloud to the recorder the length measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm or 1/8 inch.

The length should be recorded on the data form as soon as it is completed.

Then the infant should be repositioned and the length measurement repeated and noted in writing.

After the infant is removed from the lengthboard, the length measurements should be compared and they should agree within 1 cm or 1/4 inch. This is the tolerance limit of this measure.

If the difference between the length measures exceeds the tolerance limit, the infant should be repositioned and remeasured a third time. The average of the two measures in closest agreement is recorded.

Illustration of infant measuring
Illustration © Nardella, M, Campo, L, Ogata, B, eds. Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Olympia, WA, State Department of Health, 2001. 		  Check Measure length to 0.1 cm or 1/8 inch
  Check Record measurement on chart
  Check

Reposition and remeasure infant
  Check Measurements should agree to 1 cm or 1/4 inch -- the tolerance of the measure
     


Back Next