Correlation of some maternal variables with birth weight
Sachar, R.K.; Soni, R.K.; Singh, H.; Kaur, N.; Singh, B.; Kumar, V.; Sofat, R.
Indian Journal of Maternal and Child Health Official Publication of Indian Maternal and Child Health Association 5(2): 43-45
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-8928 PMID: 12318805 Document Number: 284884
Infant survival and birth weight are dependent on the health of the mother during pregnancy. In this study, maternal weight gain in pregnancy, prepregnancy weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were examined in terms of their correlation with birth weight. The Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab State, India, conducted the study of the pregnant women in the surrounding 10 villages. Prenatal care was provided to all pregnant women and maternal variables were grouped into the BMI for 18, 18-21, and 21. The results showed a positive correlation of birth weight with prepregnancy weight, height, and BMI. A BMI of 18, which indicated chronic dietary energy insufficiency, had a correlation of r = .43 an a low prepregnancy weight of 41.44 plus or minus 2.65 kg. Prepregnancy weight had a correlation with birth weight of r = .42; height was correlated with birth weight with a r = .23. A positive correlation was apparent for BMI of 18-21 and 21, but the correlations were statistically insignificant. The objective of any prenatal health intervention would be to assure that women have a prepregnancy weight of greater than 40 g and a BMI of 18. Weight gain was the highest among women who had the lowest prepregnancy weight, but this was still insufficient to meet the recommendations.