Morbidity and Treatment-Seeking Pattern among Low Birth Weight Infants: A Community-based Cohort Study from
Sreeja Manghat1, Sonali Sarkar1, Sitanshu Sekhar Kar1
1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (P&SM), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) infants experienced similar overall illness rates but higher skin infections compared to normal birth weight (NBW) infants in the first six months. Poor weight gain in LBW infants correlated with increased morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) infants present distinct health challenges.
- Understanding early childhood morbidity patterns is crucial for timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the morbidity incidence and treatment-seeking behaviors of LBW and NBW infants.
- To identify specific health risks associated with LBW during the first six months of life.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 94 pairs of LBW and sex-matched NBW infants.
- Data collection occurred at 1, 3, and 6 months using home-based interviews.
- Statistical analysis included Mid-p exact tests, t-tests/Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests.
Main Results:
- Overall morbidity incidence was similar between LBW (37.5 episodes/100 child-months) and NBW (33.3 episodes/100 child-months) infants (P=0.118).
- LBW infants showed significantly higher rates of skin infections (3.10 vs 1.21 episodes/100 child-months, P=0.04).
- Higher all-cause morbidity was observed in LBW infants with poor weight gain.
Conclusions:
- Birth weight was associated with all-cause morbidity in the first three months, with variations based on age and infant weight gain.
- While overall morbidity was comparable, specific infections like skin infections pose a greater risk for LBW infants.
Background:
To compare the morbidity and treatment-seeking pattern of low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) infants during the first six months.
Material And Methods:
A prospective cohort study was conducted in the service areas of eight urban primary health centers of Puducherry from October 2019 to July 2021. Details of LBW and sex-matched NBW infants were obtained from the birth registers of selected PHCs. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule on completion of the first, third, and sixth months at their homes. For comparison, Mid-p exact test was used for incidence rates, t-test/Mann-Whitney for continuous variables and the Chi-square/Fisher's exact test for the categorical variables.
Results:
Ninety-four pairs of LBWS and NBW infants were recruited. The incidence of morbidity during the first six months among LBW and NBW infants was 37.5 and 33.3 episodes per 100 child months, respectively (P value 0.118). Though the incidence of all-cause morbidity was similar, skin infections were significantly higher among LBW (3.10 vs 1.21 per 100 child months, P = 0.04). The incidence of all-cause morbidity was high in LBW infants with poor weight gain.
Conclusion:
Birth weight was associated with all-cause morbidity during the first three months. However, this association varied in age points and infants' weight gain.
