Influence of maternal nutritional factors affecting birthweight
Raman, L.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 34(Suppl 4): 775-783
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9165 PMID: 7223693 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/34.4.775Document Number: 386232
Low birth weight infants (other than the severely growth retarded) comprise 30-40% of babies born in India. Data collected from 19,000 deliveries of Indian infants suggest that maternal nutritional status affects fetal outcome and birth weight. Average dietary intake of Indian pregnant women is marginally adequate, and very low weight gains during pregnancy (6-7 kg) are characteristic. Anemia affects 40-50% of women due to iron, folate, and B complex deficiencies; 40% of mothers who bore low birth weight infants had hemoglobin levels below 9 g. Some 70% of mothers with blood glucose lower than 55 mg/100 ml delivered infants weighing less than 2.5 kg. Short stature contributed to low birth weight in low, but not upper, income women. Average birth weight tended to increase with increasing parity and income; infants born to low income mothers had inadequate stores of protein, iron and calcium. Poor stores accumulated in utero may have long-term consequences after birth. Thus, low income mothers are disadvantaged in terms of reproductive outcome.