Maternal influences on birth weight

The birth weight of 2,848 singleton babies delivered Al-Medina District hospitals was studied. The mean birth weight of Al-Medina babies was 3.26 Kg. (SD 0.44), the males with mean birth weight of 3.32 Kg. (SD 0.45), and were significantly heavier than females with a mean birth weight of 3.20 Kg. (SD 0.42). The incidence of low birth weight was 7.0 per cent. The birth weight was found to increase consistently with maternal age, parity, and height. Birth weight was significantly higher for babies of non-consanguineous parents.