Anthropometric measurements of newborns are important clinical indicators widely used for evaluation of prenatal growth. A study was conducted to find the mean birth weight of full term neonates and to construct a centile chart of birth weight for them. 1000 live born full term neonates in a tertiary care centre were included in the study. Birth weight was measured soon after birth using a digital weighing machine. The data obtained was analysed and mean weight, standard deviation and centiles were calculated and centile chart was constructed. The mean birth weight for male babies was 2730g with a standard deviation of 0.458. The mean birth weight for female babies was 2708g with a standard deviation of 0.450.The 3^rd centile for weight was 1800g and 97^th centile was 3600g. The study showed that the mean birth weight and centiles were comparable with the Indian standards and with those of developing countries while all centiles fell short of international standards.

Keywords: Birth centiles, Gestational age, Anthropometry, Indian infants.

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Athira T S

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