Some Fetal and Pregnancy Parameters in Nepal

Abstract

In Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, 4600 single live births were analysed concerning birth weight in relation to gestational age. At term, the median birth weight of females was 2900 g and of males 3010 g. Compared with Norwegian newborns, the birthweights of Nepali babies were lower for all corresponding gestational lengths. The differences increased with gestational age. Fundal height was lower in Nepali than in Norwegian pregnant women for all periods of pregnancy. An increase in the differences between Norwegian and Nepali women was also noted. Hematocrit values of Nepali women who did not take supplementary iron, correspond well to findings in Norwegian women without iron supplementation. Only a slight degree of hemoconcentration was noted towards term. For Norwegian women with iron supplementation the hematocrit values were much higher, with a tendency towards hemoconcentration near term. In Nepal the average woman probably has small iron stores, and without iron supplementation the hematocrit values will remain low throughout the pregnancy. The high altitude does not seem to cause hemoconcentration in pregnancy to a greater extent than at lower altitude. Hemoconcentration is therefore not a major causative factor of the lower birth weights.

The prevalence of anemia in pregnant Nepali women - a study in Kathmandu

“…C Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 79 (2000) In accordance with other studies (23,37), there was a significant decrease in the Hct value with increasing gestation. This may partly be due to the gradual increasing requirements of both the mother and the fetus.…”

Risk factors for low birth weight: Results from a case-control study in southern Spain

“…Since the mid-1940s, several studies have reported the association between high altitude and birth weight reduction. All of the studies analyzing the former association have been performed at altitudes much higher than ours (Lichy et al, 1957;Grahn and Kratchman, 1963;McCullough et al, 1977;Yip, 1987;Unger et al, 1988;Notzon et al, 1992;Mazess, 1965;Kruger and AriasStella, 1970;Ulstein et al, 1988;Zamudio et al, 1993). Apart from the study by Yip (1987), who controlled for three variables (maternal age, parental education, and marital status), and the study by Notzon et al (1992), who controlled for maternal education, no other report examining the effect of altitude on birth weight has taken into account other variables affecting birth weight distribution.…”

Maternal hematological status and risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery in Nepal

“…It has been suggested that a high blood viscosity may reduce the perfusion of the placenta, contributing to placental infarctions, which may lead to intrauterine growth retardation (14). Studies in Nepal have described high prevalences of anemia among pregnant women (18,19). Studies in Nepal have described high prevalences of anemia among pregnant women (18,19).…”