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.