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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Low birth weight at term: relationship with maternal anthropometry
JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical Association
|December 21, 2007
Summary
Low maternal weight is a significant predictor of low birth weight (LBW) in term babies. Maternal anthropometric measurements, particularly weight, play a crucial role in determining infant birth outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical indicator of neonatal health and survival.
- Maternal anthropometry is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing fetal growth and birth outcomes.
- Understanding the specific anthropometric predictors of LBW is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternal anthropometric measurements and the occurrence of low birth weight (LBW) in term singleton infants.
- To identify which maternal anthropometric variables are most strongly associated with LBW at term.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, hospital-based comparative study involving 308 women delivering singleton live babies at term.
- Participants were divided into cases (term LBW babies, <2500g) and controls (term normal birth weight babies, ≥2500g), matched for age and parity.
- Maternal post-delivery weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- The incidence of term LBW was 8.15%.
- Mothers with low weight (<45.0kg) had significantly higher odds of delivering LBW babies (OR 3.5).
- Low Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC <22.0cm) was also associated with increased LBW risk (OR 2.04).
- Low maternal weight remained a significant independent predictor of LBW after logistic regression analysis (OR 2.84).
Conclusions:
- Low maternal anthropometric measurements, especially maternal weight, are significantly associated with term low birth weight.
- Maternal weight is the strongest anthropometric predictor of LBW among the variables studied.
- These findings underscore the importance of maternal nutritional status and anthropometry in preventing LBW.
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