Prevalence and Socio-demographic Determinants of Low Birth Weight Newborns-A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: Birth weight is not only strongly associated with foetal and neonatal mortality but also with stunted growth. Low Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in childhood, obesity and diabetes in adulthood. Despite all measures taken, the prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) is not significantly decreasing in Southeast Asia (from 33% in 2000 to 27 % in 2015 according to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) 2019 data). And added to the surprise in UNICEF data from countries for LBW, from A-Z data, (A-Z data is data of LBW countries whose name starts from letter A to letter Z in alphabetical order) India was not included, because data from India was partial. Aim: To determine whether maternal socio-demographic factors determine LBW in newborns. Materials and Methods: A prospective hospital-based observational study was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, M.S. Maharashtra India, among 500 consecutive, consenting pregnant women from December 2017 to November 2019. Socio-demographic parameters and neonate birth weight were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by inferential statistics using Chi-square test and z-test with significance value considered at <0.05. Results: Among the total 500 subjects 162 (32.4%) had LBW and 338 Normal Birth Weight (NBW). By using Chi-square test, statistically significant difference was found in parity, socioeconomic condition, mother's education, area of residence of both the LBW and NBW groups (chi(2) =6.49, p=0.039; chi(2) =51.32, p=0.0004; chi(2) =12.95, p=0.012; chi(2) =5.66, p=0.017), respectively. (significant at p<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of LBW babies was 32.4%. Rural areas, low socio-economic condition, education, were significant determinants of LBW. As the parity increases birth weight increases.