A study to assess clinico-epidemiological profile and outcome of low birth weight babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) contributes substantially to neonatal, infant and childhood morbidity as well as mortality. Across the world neonatal mortality is 20 times more likely for low birth weight babies compared to heavier babies (>2.5 kg). Proportion of LBW babies at birth in Rajasthan is 14%. The present study is proposed to explore the determinants of LBW in babies admitted at tertiary care hospital. The objective of the study was to study the clinic-epidemiological profile and outcome of LBW neonates; to study various factors associated with LBW.Methods: This study was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out at NICU of MBGH, R.N.T Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The study population comprised of all LBW babies delivered in medical college attached hospital and admitted in NICU, for duration of one year from September 2019 to august 2020. Total 350 babies were enrolled in study as per calculated sample size.Results: LBW was found to be associated with low maternal age, low level of mother education, maternal anemia, less BMI, stature of mothers, number of ANC visits, poor maternal weight gain during pregnancy, per-capita income, etc. Most common cause of mortality was found in LBW was septicemia and of morbidity was RDS.Conclusions: The identified risk factors in our study were modifiable and many were preventable. Maternal age, education of mothers, nutrition of mothers, anaemia status, number of ANC visits by mothers are preventable causes. Demographic profile, socio-economic status; many medical and obstetric factors are modifiable.