Abstract

Background:In India low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality.
Objective:To quantify the effect of maternal anthropometry, education and socio-economic status on birth weight.
Materials and Methods:Study Design: Prospective, Observational, Hospital based study.Study Setting: Gram Seva trust Hospital at Gandevi Block of Navsari district.Study Period: Sep 2009.Study Population:105 women who delivered in this hospital.Study Variable: Age of the mother at time of delivery, socio-economic status, education, parity, height and weight of mother, no. of ANC visits, sex of the delivered child.Outcome Variable: Low birth weight (LBW).Statistical analysis: Receiver Operative Characteristic (ROC)curve, chi square test, multivariate logistic regression
Results:Low birth weight was found in around 35 % of infants. Bivariate analysis revealed that Maternal age less than 20 years (p= 0.02), education (p= 0.009), socio economic status (p =0.001) was significantly associated with low birth weight. Maternal age <20 years, number of years of education < 7 found to increase risk of LBW. Maternal height, weight, BMI, parity, sex of the child, number of ANC visits and type of family had no statistically significant effect on determining the risk for LBW. However, adjusted Odds ratio was found significant for only BPL status and pre term. Conclusion:Maternal age, Education, Economic states and Pre term were found to be the most important maternal parameters, which influence birth weight and the risk for LBW. However, Multivariate Logistic analysis revealed only BPL status and preterm had effect on LBW.