The association between birthweight, sociodemographic variables and maternal anthropometry in an urban sample from Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

The relationship between birthweight, sociodemographic variables and maternal anthropometry was examined in a sample from an inner urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. About 21% of babies were of low birthweight (LBW) using the World Health Organization cut-off of < 2500 g. LBW was more common in younger (< 20 years) and older (> 30 years) mothers, the low-income group and those with little or no education. The mean birthweights of the higher-educated, higher-income group and male children were on average 290, 260 and 120 g, respectively, higher than uneducated, lower-income groups and female children. The best cut-offs for detecting LBW and normal-weight infants was maternal weight of 50 kg (odds ratio = 4.6), maternal arm circumference of 23 cm (odds ratio = 5.0) and body mass index of 20.5 (odds ratio = 6.5). The sensitivity and specificity were best for maternal weight (69% and 68%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses show that mothers' weight at term was the best single predictor of LBW (31%), while maternal weight along with age, educational level and income group correctly predicted just over 35% of LBW. Regression analyses also confirmed that mothers' weight at term was the best predictor of birthweight, with a correlation coefficient of 0.49.

Socio Economic and Maternal Reproductive factors affecting Low Birth Weight Babies in Central Nepal

“…unhygienic environment and improper diet were at higher risk of having a low birth weight baby which was similar to the study done by Karim et al (1997) 30 .…”

“…The socio-economic factors associated with LBW are income, level of education in the mother and other family members, occupation of the mother, household leadership and gender differences related to roles within the family 24,25,26,27,28,29,30 .…”

A study of maternal factors influencing very low birth weight babies

“…The incidence of very low birth weight is high in women with mid-armcircumference <20 cm. 11 This was similar with the previous study results of Zhang X et al, (43).…”

The relationship between maternal, placental and newborn parameters

“…The effects of maternal risk factors on placental weight and birth weight have been previously studied (Jaya et al, 1995;Williams et al, 1997;Karim and Mascie-Taylor, 1997;Sivarao et al, 2002) and because a relationship between birth weight and later chronic disease has been found, more focus should be placed on the importance of placental and fetal health.…”