Study of maternal factors as a determinant of low birth weight in newborns

Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines Low birth as weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds)(1).The birth weight of an infant is the single most important determinant of its chance for survival, healthy growth and development(2). Epidemiological observations show that infants weighing less than 2,500 g have approximately 20 times greater risk of neonatal mortality compared to heavier babies. Low birth weight contributes to a range of poor health outcome .Fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibition of growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases later in life are closely associated with low birth weight(3–6).Low birth weight also has public health significance as its outcome is influenced by consumption of reproductive health care(7). One of the key measures of child health is that of birth weight(8). Many studies had found out low maternal pre-delivery weight, poor weight gain during pregnancy and low socio-economic status as significant risk factors for LBW. Being modifiable factors, detection of any such association among Kerala babies is useful to plan preventive measures for reduction of the number of LBW babies. In this context this study is aimed at studying the maternal factors as a determinant of low birth weight in newborns. Objectives: To find out the association of maternal weight, height and BMI with low birth weight in term Newborns. Methodology: A hospital based case control study was conducted during the period of January 2015 to June 2016 in the neonatology department of Govt. Medical College Ernakulam to try to examine the determinants of low birth weight with emphasis on the maternal anthropometric determinants namely weight, height and BMI. Other factors were studied were socio demographic characteristics, obstetric history and antenatal care. Results: The results with respect to the maternal anthropometry were clearly indicative of associations. All the anthropometric measurements of the cases were significantly different among cases compared to control. There was significant association of LBW with maternal socioeconomic status, gestational weight gain and inadequate antenatal care. Conclusion: Maternal height, weight and body mass index strongly determines LBW.