Prevalence and Determinants of Low Birth Weight in India: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey (2019-21)

Abstract

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important public health indicator extensively linked to infant and child mortality, especially in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, 15.5% of all infants are born with LBW while 95% of these occur in LMICs. This study aims to examine the prevalence and determinants of LBW in India.Methods: Data were obtained from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS) round conducted during 2019-2021. The study sample included women aged 15-49 years who had a singleton pregnancy in the five years preceding the survey (N=175,240). A bivariate analysis was carried out and a logistic regression model was fitted to assess the maternal determinants affecting the birth weight among newborns.Results: A total of 175,240 mothers were included in the present study. The proportion of newborns with LBW was 17.29% (n=26366, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.01, 17.57), of which 6% (n=1450, 95% CI 5.61, 6.41) had very low birth weight (less than 1500 g). An increase in the education level of women or wealth index also resulted in significantly reduced odds of LBW in the newborn. However, the number of antenatal care (ANC) visits lacked any statistically significant association with the odds of having a newborn with LBW.Conclusions: The burden of LBW in India in recent years has remained stable despite impressive economic growth and increased public health spending on food security and nutritional supplementation. Strengthening the quality of ANC services for pregnant women with a focus on sensitization and awareness generation for improving maternal nutrition requires high prioritization.

Outcomes and Morbidities in Low-Birth-Weight Neonates: A Retrospective Study From Western India

“…Of the 4,710 newborns born during the study period, 327 (6.9%) weighed less than 2.5 kg, which is in line with the 15% to 30% reported prevalence of LBW in India, likely reflecting socioeconomic and regional disparities [1,6]. The study found that 55.6% (182 out of 327) of LBW newborns were SGA and preterm, while 22.6% (74 out of 327) were full-term SGA.…”

“…In India, the prevalence of LBW ranges from 15% to 30%, with notable regional variations [6,7]. Despite advancements in neonatal care, LBW remains a significant contributor to infant mortality and morbidity in the country, accounting for 60-80% of all neonatal deaths nationwide [8,9].…”

Cumulative effect of PM2.5 components is larger than the effect of PM2.5 mass on child health in India

“…Several individual-level and household-level variables were identified as potential covariates of LBW 39 , 40 , anaemia 41 and ARI 42 . These variables were included in the analysis based on their significance with the respective health outcome.…”

Pregnancy-related Factors Responsible for Delivering Low Birth Weight Babies: An Institutional-based Cross-sectional Study, Jamnagar, Gujarat

“…The prevalence of newborns with LBW had a very small decline from 17.5% (17.19, 17.80) in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 17.29% (17.01, 17.57) in NFHS-5 (2019-21). [ 5 ] India has made considerable progress in reducing the LBW of children during the past decade, and it remains a leading cause of child mortality in the country, especially among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. To achieve the target of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in infant and under-5 mortality levels by 2030, an accelerated improvement is still required in reducing the occurrence of LBW.…”