DETERMINATION OF SEX FROM OCCIPITOFRONTAL CIRCUMFERENCE, BIRTH WEIGHT AND PLACENTA WEIGHT OF NEONATES IN SELECTED PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS IN NIGERIA

The aim of the study is to determine the sex of neonates from the occipitofrontal circumference, weight of neonate, and weight of placenta in selected private hospitals in the Ilorin metropolis. The sample study comprised 244 subjects (122 males and 122 females) having no birth deformities. The occipitofrontal circumference was taken using an infant head circumference tape. The weight of birth and the weight of the placenta was measured using an analogue baby weighing scale. Pearson’s Chisquare and Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) decision tree analysis were used to analyze the data. 𝑃 < 0.05 was considered significant. The result showed that birth weight, placental weight and occipitofrontal circumference did not determine the sex of neonates. There were no significant relationships between each of the neonatal parameters and the sex of neonates. An increase in the birth weight led a significant increase in the placental weight. Also, the placental weight was significantly different in terms of the mode of delivery; it being higher in neonates born via C/S.