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Training Module: Accurately Weighing and Measuring: Technique

Measuring Infant Length
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4. Infant Measurement: Measuring Infant Length

The formal definition of the Frankfort horizontal plane is a line extending from the most inferior point of the orbital margin to the left tragion. The tragion is the deepest point in the notch superior to the tragus of the auricle.

When the head is positioned correctly, the Frankfort horizontal plane is parallel to the fixed headpiece.

For length measures, the Frankfort plane is aligned perpendicular to the plane of the measuring table and parallel to the headpiece.

Illustration of head piece

Illustration © Nardella, M, Campo, L, Ogata, B, eds. Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Olympia, WA, State Department of Health, 2001.

    
   
  The child's line of vision is perpendicular to the head piece of the measuring device
   
   
   
   


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