Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is an index of our status of public health, maternal health and nutrition. LBW is a multi-factorial problem. The major challenge in the field of public health is to identify the factors influencing LBW and to institute remedial measures. Objective: To find out the maternal risk factors of low birth weight neonates. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Ghatail from January 2018 to June 2019. A total of 707 mothers were included in this study who delivered live infants during study period; among them, 122 were LBW neonates. All the mothers of LBW neonates were evaluated and data were collected by using structured questionnaire. Results: A total 707 live birth occurred during the study period of which 122 were LBW and the incidence of LBW was 17.3%. Out of 122 mothers 18(14.8%) were <20 years, 69 (56.6%) were between 20-30 years and 35(28.7%) were >30 years of age; 19(15.6%) were underweight, 83 (68.0%) were normal weight and 20(16.4%) were overweight and obese; 34(27.9%) took inadequate antenatal check up and 88(72.1%) mother took adequate antenatal check up. Among 122 mothers 25(20.5%) were para 01, 47(38.5%) were para 02 and 50(41%) were para ≥ 03; 16(13.1%) had birth space <2 years and 106(86.9%) had birth space >2 years; 09(7.4%) educated upto primary school, 73(59.8%) educated upto high school and 40(32.8%) educated upto college & above. Regarding maternal illness 30(24.6%) mothers had premature rupture of membranes (PROM), 20(16.4%) had hypertension (HTN), 12(9.8%) had diabetes mellitus (DM), 05(4.1%) had severe oligohydramnios, 05(4.1%) had chronic anaemia and 06 had other illness (4.9%). Conclusion: The risk factors for LBW babies identified in this study are modifiable. In order to reduce this menace, holistic approaches such as health education, maternal nutrition and increasing the quality and quantity of the antenatal care services are of paramount importance. JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 16, No 2 (December) 2020: 55-58

Introduction: Pregnant women have long been recognized as a vulnerable population during infectious disease pandemics due to physiological changes in the immune, pulmonary, cardiac and coagulation systems. It is essential to acquire knowledge of pregnancy outcomes, potential complications and neonatal health conditions born to an infected mother with COVID-19. Material and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Jashore from June 2020 to July 2021 among 100 hospitalized laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive pregnant women, patients who had clinical symptoms of COVID but RT PCR negative were excluded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical profile and maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancy. Relevant data were recorded in a preformed data collection sheet and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: Among 100 COVID-19 positive hospitalized pregnant women, the mean age of participants was 27years (range 19-40 years), Maximum infection rate observed during 12 to 28 weeks of gestation among the participants, 21% got infected at 37 to 40 weeks of gestation and 20% got infected at 32 to 36 weeks. Seventy-four percent patients underwent delivery during the study & 23% of them continued with ongoing pregnancy; 67 of the participants underwent LUCS and 7 vaginal deliveries were done, 3% had abortion and IUFD 1% ,61% were multipara and 39% were Primipara, associated co-morbidities were subclinical hypothyroidism(15%), pregnancy induced HTN(12%) and GDM(8%); 36% participants were asymptomatic and 44% had mild symptoms, rate of LUCS was higher than (90.64%) vaginal delivery. Among the 73 live births, 80.82% were term and 10.18% were preterm of neonates, small for gestational was seen in the case of 20.55% neonates. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in all neonatal throat swabs and found positive in one case only. Eighty-six percent neonates were well-baby and 9.58% neonates required NICU admission. There were 2 neonatal deaths due to severe prematurity and 2 babies were found to have congenital cardiac anomaly and cleft lip, cleft palate. Though 36% of patients were asymptomatic but 10% were severe and in the critical stage. HDU support needed for 8% of patients and ICU support for 6%. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study supports that pregnant women with COVID-19 infection are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and a low risk of congenital transmission. Availability of ICU in critical conditions is needed for better pregnancy outcomes. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2022; 40: 10-16