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Socio-economic and nutritional determinants of low birth weight in India

Manzur Kader1, Nirmala K P Perera Perera2

  • 1Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

North American Journal of Medical Sciences
|August 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) affects nearly 20% of infants in India. Key factors include maternal education, nutrition, and antenatal care, highlighting areas for public health intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality.
  • Addressing LBW is a critical public health priority globally and in India.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key socio-economic and nutritional determinants of LBW in the Indian population.
  • To inform targeted interventions for reducing LBW prevalence.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-2006).
  • Inclusion of 20,946 women aged 15-49 years with recent births.
  • Examination of LBW in relation to maternal education, BMI, stature, antenatal care, and other socio-demographic factors.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 20% of infants were born with LBW.
  • Significant predictors of LBW included lower maternal education, maternal BMI <18.5, short maternal stature (<145 cm), and fewer than 4 antenatal care visits.
  • Male infant gender showed a protective association with LBW.

Conclusions:

  • Improving maternal education, nutritional status, and antenatal care are crucial for reducing LBW rates in India.
  • Multifaceted health promotion strategies are necessary to effectively address these determinants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child's birth weightIndiaInfantLow birth weightPregnancy

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