BURDEN OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND MALNUTRITION AMONG NEWBORN BABIES IN RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of reducing low birthweight incidence by at least one third between 2000 and 2010 is one of the major goals in ‘A World Fit for Children’, the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children in 2002. The present study was planned to show the measure the prevalence of Low birth weight in tertiary care hospital.

Methodology: The present study was conducted in the department of Paediatrics, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur in which clinical assessment & assessment of nutritional status was done among the neonates delivered at Mahila and Zenana Hospital, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur.

All neonates delivered at the hospital and fulfilling inclusion criteria during one year period were included in the study.

Results: Out of total 500 neonates, 313 (62.6%) neonates were male and 187 (48.4%) neonates were female. Maximum number (55%) of newborns were having MAC of 9 to 10 cm. Mean of birth weight of all newborns was 2.59 kg. Around 35% of infants were having birth weight of less than 2.5 kg which are considered Low Birth Weight babies. Maximum number of newborns i.e. 220 (44%) were having birth weight of 2.5 to 3.0 kg. 17.8% of newborns were having birth weight of 3.0 to 3.5 kg. According to MAC/HC ratio, 59% of newborns were well nourished (MAC/HC ratio >0.27) and 41% newborns were malnourished (MAC/HC ratio <0.27). According to Ponderal Index, 76% newborns were well nourished (PI>2.2) and 24% newborns were malnourished (PI<2.2).