Background:
The World Health Organisation defines Low Birth Weight (LBW) as birth weight less than 2500 grams irrespective of the gestational age. The birth weight of a baby is important for mortality and morbidity. It is very important that children get a good head start in life so as to ensure the wellbeing of the family and the community. LBW has many ill effects on its victims not only soon after birth but also later on in life. This would definitely hamper their contribution to the society and the nation as a whole. It is therefore of utmost importance to detect and prevent the occurrence of LBW. This study aims to determine the prevalence and determinants of Low Birth Weight among Babies born at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences over a period of 3 Months.
Objectives:
To find out the prevalence of Low Birth Weight among babies born at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences over a period of three months.
To identify the factors that determines Low Birth Weight among these babies.
To identify measures for the prevention of Low Birth Weight.
Methodology:
A Record Based Descriptive Study was done. Case Records of Mothers of Babies born at SMIMS from Septmber 1 2008 to November 30 2008. Records with insufficient Information were excluded. Data Entry was done in MS Excel and Data Analysis using Epi Info Statistical Software
Results:
Mean age of the study population was 26 with range from 18 to 41. Most patients delivered by LSCS (77%) and only 5.2% were preterm. 35.5% of women had Haemoglobin less than 10.5gm%. Mean Birth Weight was 2814 gms (SD: 469, Range: 1150-4000). Prevalence of Low Birth Weight was 20% (95% CI from 14.6% to 26.3%). The factors that were found to be significantly associated with LBW were Maternal Anaemia (Odds Ratio: 2.59, 95% CI from 1.04 to 6.42), Preterm Delivery (Odds Ratio: 22, 95% CI from 4.43 to 109.07) and Multiple Pregnancy (Odds Ratio: 8.8, 95% CI from 1.54 to 49.96).
Conclusion:
20% of babies born at SMIMS are Low Birth Weight. The most important factors associated with LBW were found to be maternal anaemia, Preterm Delivery and Multiple Pregnancy.