Newborn anthropometry and its relationship with maternal factors

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern, affecting approximately 15% of newborns in the studied population.
• Maternal sociodemographic, anthropometric, and hematological factors are critical determinants of infant birth weight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between birth weight and various maternal factors in a Bangladeshi population.
• To identify key determinants influencing low birth weight (LBW) for targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 316 pregnant women and their newborns at a public maternity hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Data collection included maternal sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, hematological levels, and newborn birth weights.
• Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were employed to determine significant associations.

Main Results:

• Mean birth weight was 2889 +/- 468g, with 15% of infants classified as LBW.
• LBW was more prevalent in mothers who were younger (<20 years) or older (>=30 years), had low income, were day laborers, or had minimal education.
• Higher maternal hemoglobin levels (> or = 12g/dl), adequate antenatal visits (>=3), advanced gestational age, higher maternal anthropometric measurements, and higher postpartum weight were associated with increased birth weight.

Conclusions:

• Gestational age at birth, maternal hemoglobin level, and postpartum weight are crucial determinants of low birth weight.
• Maternal education, income, and age are significant sociodemographic factors influencing birth outcomes.
• Interventions targeting maternal health and socioeconomic status can potentially reduce the incidence of LBW.