Variables
Maternal baseline characteristics, including demographic details, obstetric history, and anthropometric measures at birth and perinatal outcomes, were collected from the hospital maternity records. Gestational age was calculated using maternal menstrual history or early prenatal ultrasound (before 20 weeks). A low Apgar score was considered below seven at the fifth minute. We used the standardized formula to calculate the ponderal index and applied reference ranges to the entire population (46,47). Similarly, the cephalization index (head circumference [cm]/birth weight [g] × 100) was calculated and applied to the entire population (48). The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Cartagena (Ethics committee N 139, August 31, 2020).