Abstract
Title
PREVELENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AT DISTRICT HOSPITAL PULWAMA (Kashmir) IN A DEFENITE PERIOD OF TIME
Author
PREVELENCE OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AT DISTRICT HOSPITAL PULWAMA (Kashmir) IN A DEFENITE PERIOD OF TIME
Email
drhayatkhan@gmail.com
keyword
Low birth weight, Low economic status, Pregnancy.
Abstract
Low birth weight has been defined internationally as a birth weight of less than 2.5 KG measured during the first hour of birth. Incidence of low birth weight varies widely between regions of the world. India, the second largest populated country after china reports the incidence from 20-26 %., the present study was taken at one of the district hospital of Kashmir, India to see the prevalence of LBW over a fixed period of time. This is a level IV prospective study conducted at the district hospital for the period of three months (from January 2014 to April 2014).Total of one hundred and fifty two deliveries took place during this period .All mothers were analysed for the age group, education level, family income and nutritional supplement status during pregnancy. The weight of baby was taken during first hour of birth by standard paediatric weighing machine without covering the infant in towel. The association between various parameters was analysed. The age group was between 22 years to 37 years. The educational status was mostly up to under graduate level .Average monthly income was 1400 INR (range 4400 to 22000). Out of forty LBW babies born during the study period, twenty four were born in the families with income group of less than 10,000 per month. The percentage of LBW was 45% among the income group of <10,000 as compared to 17% in the income group of > 10,001. The p value was less than 0.05 and was statistically significant. Thirty two lbw babies were born in the gestational age group of less than 37 weeks and four were born in the gestational age group of more than 37 weeks. The results are statistically significant and are comparable with other studies.The study reveals that proportion of LBW is still high in the developing world. Significant relationship was demonstrated between LBW and other factors like age, socioeconomic status, gestational age and educational status. Despite the preventive measures taken by the government from time to time, the proportion of LBW is still high. A large scale nationwide study should be conducted to see the LBW babies in district hospitals and the rural areas
