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Effectiveness of antenatal care on weight of infants attending underfive clinic
R Y Aras1, A J Shenoy, Y B Chavan
1Department of PSM, T.N. Medical College, Bombay.
Insights
Early antenatal care registration significantly improves infant weight gain and promotes earlier weaning. This holistic approach benefits infant growth through consistent monitoring in under-five clinics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Infant growth is a key indicator of health.
- Early registration for antenatal care programs is crucial for maternal and infant well-being.
- Monitoring infant development through under-five clinics is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of early antenatal care registration on infant growth parameters.
- To assess the influence of antenatal care on the timing of infant weaning.
- To determine the effectiveness of under-five clinics in supporting infant health.
Main Methods:
- A study comparing infants born to mothers with early antenatal registration versus a control group.
- Weight gain was measured monthly throughout the first year of life.
- Age of weaning initiation and registration for under-five clinics were recorded.
Main Results:
- Infants of mothers with early antenatal registration showed a significant increase in average monthly weight gain (P < 0.01).
- Weaning started significantly earlier in infants whose mothers registered early for antenatal care (P < 0.001).
- Early registration for under-five clinics was significantly promoted by the antenatal care program (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Early antenatal care registration positively influences infant growth, specifically weight gain and weaning practices.
- The antenatal care program effectively encouraged early enrollment in under-five clinics.
- A holistic approach integrating antenatal care and continuous clinic follow-up supports healthy infant development.
Abstract:
Holistic approach for healthy growth of infants is considered in this study by measuring weight as an important variable. There were significant increase in the average gain monthly weight throughout infancy (P < 0.01) and preponement of age at which weaning started (P < 0.001) in infants born to mothers who registered themselves early during same gestation for antenatal care programme, the same infants being followed in an under-five clinic till one year of age. Though there was hardly any difference in average birth weights of infants of the study and control groups (P > 0.05), antenatal care programme was definitely helpful in promoting their babies for early registration for an under-five clinic (P < 0.001).