Effect of maternal age and gestational weight gain on anthropometry of the newborn in semi urban area of Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Background: Maternal undernutrition is a known to be a major factor contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Gestational weight gain and young maternal age at childbearing years is associated with an increased risk low birth weight babies and infant mortality. Methods: Prospective observational study carried out in the post-natal ward of a tertiary care hospital (CM hospital) in a semi-urban area over a period of 1 year in between March 2018 and March 2019. Total 150 mothers who satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Age of the mothers was noted and were divided into 5 groups. Last known prepregnancy weight was recorded on re-call basis, recorded data on first visit during first month of pregnancy and again they were weighed in the third trimester at the time of admission using standard electronic weight machine. Data collected were entered in Microsoft Excel Work sheet 2018 which was imported to SPSS (version16) for data analysis. Quantitative data has been analysed by Mean, Standard deviation, T test and Karl Pearson correlation. Results: Mean birth weight among young age mother (<20 years) was 2068 g (95%CI,±223.99) which was significantly lower than mean birth weight of 20-30 year old mother (271.19 g±95%CI, 437.02) and >30 year old mother (2932.78, 95%CI±429.99). With increase in gestational weight gain there was a corresponding increase in mean birth weight and this increase was statistically significant (r=0.435, p=<0.001). Conclusions: Maternal age and gestational weight gain had significant impact on new-born anthropometry. Young age (<20yrs) and decreased gestational weight gain is associated with increased number of low birth weight babies.

Influence of parental anthropometry and gestational weight gain on intrauterine growth and neonatal outcomes: Findings from the MAI cohort study in rural India

“…Another study conducted in India by Motwani et al . also reported similar results suggesting that maternal education was associated with gestational weight gain and neonatal anthropometry, and that the effect of maternal education on neonatal anthropometry was partially mediated by gestational weight gain, highlighting how socio-economic status is a strong determinant of foetal-neonatal growth [ 38 ]. Data driven finding is chiefly highlighted in our study that women with lower socio-economic status are at higher risk of inadequate gestational weight gain, thus leading to a foetus of smaller size and consequently, it is hypothesized that they possibly give birth to neonates with lower birth weight.…”