Epidemiology of low birth weight in Ahmedabad

The study to elucidate epidemiological features of LBW (low birth weight) babies shows incidence of LBW to be 20·37%, out of 481 single births studied in 1982. 6·03% were small for gestational age (SGA). Of LBW babies 61·22% were born preterm (<37 weeks) as compared to 31·85% of normal babies. Of preterm babies 3·3% were SGA, while 7·69% of fullterm babies were SGA. SGA babies were found to be significantly related to parity, being most common in primi, and without antenatal care (ANC). Younger (15–25 years), shorter and primipara mothers were more likely to give birth to LBW babies. Of mothers giving birth to normal babies 85·52% had taken ANC, as compared to 67·34% giving birth to LBW babies. SGA was more common in mothers who had not taken ANC. Young, short and primipara mothers, who are prone to give birth to LBW babies should be detected early and brought under qualitative ANC.