Publications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: More than twenty million low birth weight (LBW) babies are born every year throughout the world. In India 22% of the births are LBW according to NFHS– 3. LBW is responsible for 60% of the infant mortality and it carries a 40-fold increase in the risk of neonatal mortality. LBW has short term and long term consequences for the baby. Objective: To determine the prevalence of LBW and its association with socio -demographic, maternal and obstetric factors in a rural maternity hospital in Karnataka. Methodology: Data was collected by performing a record review of inpatient records of women who had delivered in the hospital over a period of one year (1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012). Results and Discussion: There were 1017 live births during this period. The prevalence of LBW was 21.1%. Birth weight showed statistically significant association with anaemia and gestational age at delivery (p <0.05). There was no significant association between LBW and maternal age, birth order, maternal education, per capita income of the family, time of antenatal registration and number of antenatal visits. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBW was 21.1%. There was no significant association between LBW and maternal age, maternal education and per capita income of the family. Birth weight showed statistically significant association with anaemia and gestational age at delivery.