Training on Neonatal Size Assessment by Anthropometry in the Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Escuela, Honduras
Since 2016, in response to the Zika epidemic in Honduras and the urgent need to strengthen neonatal health capacities, the Department of Pediatrics at Hospital Escuela, in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), has promoted a training strategy aimed at improving early diagnosis and comprehensive care for newborns. This strategy has been actively supported by other national and international universities, as well as by training centers focused on maternal and child health.
As part of these efforts, assisted learning sessions are continuously implemented with final-year medical students, residents, and professionals in training, using the online educational resource: Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry. This course is part of the INTERGROWTH-21st program, globally recognized for its scientific foundation, accessibility, and contribution to standardized monitoring of neonatal and fetal growth.
The systematic incorporation of this course has strengthened the development of clinical competencies in neonatal anthropometry, facilitated the standardization of diagnostic criteria, and promoted a more evidence-based medical education focused on the epidemiological surveillance of conditions related to intrauterine development and congenital outcomes.
In 2017, a free paper presentation was made about the training and assisted learning experience using the online course Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry during the XIII Congress of the Central American and Caribbean Association of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine. The presentation received Second Place in the free paper category (experience-based).
Rico F, et al. Free Paper 44. Honduran Medical Journal 2017; 85 (Suppl. 2): S86. https://camjol.info/index.php/RMH/article/view/12826/14907
This assisted learning takes place as an extracurricular activity during the clinical rotation of 5th-year medical students from UNAH and other universities, across various inpatient units of the Department of Pediatrics at Hospital Escuela.
YEAR 2025
In the year 2025, the clinical rotations for 5th-year medical students are scheduled for the following dates: March 10, May 5, July 7, August 25, and October 20. Each student presents to Dr. Marcela Cárcamo, Specialist in Pediatrics, the certificate of completion for the course. This same activity is also conducted by other pediatric faculty members.
March–April Rotation
| Name | Course | Completion Date | University | Program | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josue Sebastián Madrid Pavón | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 22/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Genevieve Alejandra Salgado Reyes | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 21/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Genevieve Alejandra Salgado Reyes | Feeding and growth monitoring of the preterm newborn: Implementation of the Intergrowth-21st protocol | 22/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Elena Reyes | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 22/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Helen Lissette Flores Marín | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 23/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Helen Lissette Flores Marín | Feeding and growth monitoring of the preterm newborn: Implementation of the Intergrowth-21st protocol | 23/03/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
May–June Rotation
| Name | Course | Completion Date | University | Program | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma Rocío Lazo Cabrera | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 25/05/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Nazareth Stephany García Moncada | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 13/06/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Paulina Gabriela Martínez Martínez | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 13/06/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Evelyn Yariel Trejo Medina | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 13/06/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |
| Lester Daniel Canales López | Assessment of newborn size by anthropometry | 13/06/2025 | UNAH | Medicine | 5th |