Contribution of Low Birth Weight to Childhood Malnutrition in India

Abstract

Background Although Low birth weight (LBW) is an independent predictor of malnutrition, it is still a negligible public health issue in the Indian context. Where, a large number of children died due to complications from maternal and child malnutrition. Furthermore, each year, India loses its GDP due to the cost of micronutrient malnutrition which is more that the public health budget. MethodsTo conduct the study, 4th round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), a large-scale survey was used. The study used the last birth information (190,898) due to the detailed availability of maternal care information. The univariate and bivariate analysis was done to find out the percentage distribution. Further, a logistic regression was applied to examine the association between LBW and malnutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight). The study also employed the Fairlie decomposition technique to estimate the contribution of LBW to malnutrition among Indian children. ResultsThe estimated result shows that childhood malnutrition was higher in most of the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. Furthermore, the infant who was born with low birth weight was more likely to have stunted (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.60-1.75), wasting (OR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.26-1.39), and underweight (OR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.38-1.51) in their childhood as compared to infants with no low birth weight. The findings of the decomposition model explained 19 % of the difference in stunting, 12% in wasting, and 16% in underweight among the children born with low birth weight after controlling for background characteristics of the individuals. Other variables such as wealth status, mother’s education, height, mother’s age at birth, and sanitation facility were the significant contributors to childhood malnutrition in India. ConclusionsAlthough many nutrient-centric programmes are going on to control the nutrition status of children, the Indian government should focus more on control LBW. As LBW has a significant contribution to malnutrition, the study recommends that government should take all the necessary steps to implement and monitor some special schemes like the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at the ground level to reduce the burden of LBW.

Determinants of low birth weight and its effect on childhood health and nutritional outcomes in Bangladesh

“…Previous studies based on data from Bangladesh showed that LBW was identified as an important risk factor for various forms of undernutrition [26,27]. Several neighboring countries like India, and Pakistan found comparable results [50,51]. Another study in Africa (Malawi) also found higher odds of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among LBW children [52].…”

“…Another study in Africa (Malawi) also found higher odds of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among LBW children [52]. LBW infants often had difficulties in feeding due to underdeveloped digestive systems or a weak sucking reflex, which can lead to inadequate intake of nutrients [50,53]. Moreover, LBW infants may have higher metabolic rates, which means they require more energy and nutrients per kilogram of body weight than a normal infant and this supply-demand imbalance leads to undernourishment [54].…”