Influence of Maternal Factors on Foetal Malnutrition Using Can Score Assessment- A Tertiary Care Centre Experience

Abstract

BACKGROUND Potential conditions that predispose babies to being small at birth are quite common in tropical practice. Several factors may predispose to SGA delivery. 1 Maternal factors known to contribute to foetal malnutrition (FM) include biological factors, nutritional factors, brief interpregnancy intervals, low socioeconomic class, poor education, medical and obstetric problems. The main aim of the study was to assess whether maternal factors are influencing the nutritional status of foetus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study is undertaken at Niloufer Hospital for Children, Osmania Medical College, a tertiary paediatric care centre to assess the nutritional status of new born at birth. The study included a total of 125 neonates born to mothers who have completed 38 weeks of gestational age. Neonates with major congenital malformations were excluded from the study. CAN Score was calculated for all the babies. Maternal data of the mothers of these babies is recorded in detail. RESULTS The association between the nutritional status and each factor of maternal data is checked with both CAN Score cutoff points at <24 and < 21. 63.34% of the babies born to primi para mothers had foetal malnutrition and 73.33% of the babies born to mothers with low haemoglobin levels had FM with CAN Score cutoff of ≤ 24. CONCLUSION Maternal factors and her nutritional status play a major role in the birth size of a baby. Maternal biological factors which may influence FM include parity, maternal haemoglobin and mode of delivery.

Assessment of Foetal Malnutrition Using CAN Score and its Comparison With Various Anthropometric Parameters and Proportionality Indices

“…On the contrary, a study done by Ajay Mohan et al, used a modified CAN score cut off < 21, as more babies were clustered between 21 and 24 in their cohort. 19 To classify nutritional status of new born, PI has been used by various investigators. 15,20 PI relies on the principle that length is spared at the expense of weight during acute conditions; whereas, weight and length both are proportionately impaired in chronic insults.…”

“…Similar results were obtained by many investigators. 3,[10][11][12]19 A study done by Soundarya M et al, concluded that FM is best identified by CAN score and BMI is best screening tool for FM and when coupled with PI will identify most normally nourished newborns. 21 Application of weight standard alone may be inappropriate in studying nutritional status in many diverse and multi-ethnic population groups.…”