Maternal anthropometry in relation to birth weight of newborn: A prospective hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Birth weight of neonate is probably the most important factor that affects the future survival and quality of life of the neonates. Objective: To study the maternal anthropometric parameters in relation to birth weight of neonate. Methods: This observational case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in central India from March 2013 to September 2014. Low birth weight (LBW) neonates (<2.5 kg) and their mothers were taken as cases, and normal birth weight (NBW) neonates (?2.5 kg) and their mothers were taken as controls. Data regarding demographic profile, maternal and neonatal anthropometry, antenatal, and natal events were recorded. Results: Of total 600 subjects, 300 neonates were LBW (cases) and 300 were NBW (controls). Mean birth weight was 2.05±0.252 kg (in cases) and 2.9±0.295 kg (in control). The weight of 59.3% mothers in the case group was below 50 kg (odds ratio [OR] - 3.4) and height was <150 cm (OR - 1.22). Mean maternal body mass index (BMI) in study and control group was 21.73±0.25 and 22.06±0.87, respectively (p<0.0677). BMI ranged from 21.5 to 22 in 85% of NBW and 19% of LBW neonates, and from 22.1 to 22.9 in 81% of LBW and 15% of NBW babies. Mean maternal mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in this study and control group were 20±2.13 cm and 25.5±1.36 cm, respectively (p<0.0001). Maternal MUAC was 19-23 cm in 81% of LBW babies and 23-27 cm in mothers of NBW babies (OR - 24). Conclusion: MUAC can be used as an easy cost-effective tool to identify mother at risk of delivering LBW babies so that they can be subjected appropriate care intervention at hospital and home to improve the perinatal outcome.