Remote anthropometric surveillance has emerged as a strategy to accommodate lapses in growth monitoring for pediatricians during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this investigation was to validate parent-reported anthropometry and inform acceptable remote measurement practices among rural, preschool-aged children.
Parent-reported height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and BMI percentile for their child were collected through surveys with the assessment of their source of home measure. Objective measures were collected by clinic staff at the child’s well-child visit (WCV). Agreement was assessed using correlations, alongside an exploration of the time gap (TG) between parent-report and WCV to moderate agreement. Using parent- and objectively reported BMI z-scores, weight classification agreement was evaluated. Correction equations were applied to parent-reported anthropometrics.
A total of 55 subjects were included in this study. Significant differences were observed between parent- and objectively reported weight in the overall group (−0.24 kg;
Remote pediatric anthropometry is a valid supplement for clinical assessment, conditional on direct measurement within 7 days. In rural populations where socioenvironmental barriers exist to care and surveillance, we highlight the utility of telemedicine for providers and researchers.