To Study the maternal factors which determine the low birth weight babies?

Abstract

Introduction: Birth weight is an important determinant of child survival and development. LBW is closely associated with fetal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to know the maternal and biosocial factors that influence low birth weight babies. Material Methods: A case control study carried out with, 500 neonates were selected randomly for the study in which 250 who were LBW babies (<2500 gm) were labeled as cases & 250 equally matched normal birth weight (<2500 gm) were served as control. The variables were subjected to computer analysis using focus format. The data was analysed using a ChiSquare for quantitative data. Chi square test was used to calculate p value. P value was considered significant if <0.05 SPSS version 16 software is used to do the necessary statistical calculations.Results: maximum number that is 41% of babies were low birth weight with female predominance while male predominance in normal birth weight, maximum number of low birthweight babies were preterm (74.24%) followed by full term & post term , low birth weight babies with increasing frequency was found among mothers below 20 years age group and more than 35 years age group, undernourished mother (<50 kg) and short stature mothers and mother with low socio economic status. Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight was found to be higher and it was associated with young mother, short stature, gestational age <37 wks, presence of any chronic medical illness, maternal weight <50 kg. and short stature. Emphasis should be given to nutritional counseling and disease specific ANC provision by skilled health professionals; Discussions with the community and religious leaders are mandatory aspect on the tradition of feeding of pregnant mothers to tackle the problem. This study also calls for community based further studies.

The Prevalence of Low Birth Weight Among Newborn Babies and Its Associated Maternal Risk Factors: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Mother’s height of fewer than 145 cm significantly correlated with LBW. This is consistent with the study findings of Sumana et al [ 19 ], Prudhivi et al [ 17 ], and Agarwal et al [ 15 ]. However, the findings of Soujanya et al [ 21 ] found no such relationship.…”

“…Low socioeconomic status was noted to predispose women to deliver LBW babies. Identical results were noted in the studies by Agarwal et al [ 15 ], Raghunath et al [ 18 ], and Bendhari et al [ 24 ]. On the contrary, Shahnawaz et al [ 23 ], in their study, found no relationship between the mother’s socioeconomic status and LBW.…”

“…The present study showed a higher percentage of LBW babies among mothers who were younger than 19 years of age and those who were aged over 35 years. The study results were consistent with the findings of Agarwal et al [ 15 ] and Kaur et al [ 16 ] but were contradictory to the results obtained by Prudhivi et al [ 17 ], who did not find any significant association between maternal age and LBW. Early age of marriage is an established custom, especially in rural and illiterate families in India and other developing and poor nations.…”

Health Assessment of Newborns - A Community Based Study in Jharsuguda District of Odisha, India

“…According to NFHS-3 prevalence of low birth weight in rural India is 22.1% but in the present research, the percentage of LBW was found to be more by 17.56% which is a matter of concern. Agrawal and Sharma (2017) investigated the incidence of LBW and found that the majority of 41% newborns had 2.5 to 3.49 kg birth weight [8]. were well-nourished.…”

Epidemiological determinants of low birth weight: A prospective study

“…Among other risk factors, tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption have been reported to lead to a higher incidence of LBW. [ 29 30 ] Smoking causes fetal hypoxia by increasing carboxyhemoglobin levels and attenuates blood oxygen unloading to fetal tissues and reducing maternal blood supply to the placenta. Since only less than 1% women in our study were either smokers or were consuming alcohol, we are limited by our numbers to comment about the relationship.…”