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Abstract

Background: Understanding the effect of biological factors on birth weight of newborns has public health importance because these indicators are associated with infants’ health and survival and influence development and health in later life. Aim: This is a retrospective study. The study was undertaken to determine the birth weight and gestational age characteristics in South Indian babies and correlated to biological factors. Materials & Methods: A cohort of singleton live births, born from January 2015 to May 2017 was analysed to determine the mean birth weight and gestation and influence of various biological factors such as gender of baby, birth order, mother’s age, obstetric complication such as PIH and Diabetes etc. Results: Among a total of 2789 singleton live births, the mean birth weight was 2873.73±498.6 g, mean gestation was 38.2±2 weeks and low birth weight (LBW) <2500 g was 19.1%. The term, male, later births, older mothers above 30 years and pregnancy including Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and diabetes were associated with statistically significant higher birth weight P=0.001, P=0.002, P=0.0001, P=0.001, P=0.0006 and P=0.0001 respectively. Conclusion: The mean birth weight and gestation for singleton live births in South India were determined, as well as the statistically significant impact of various biological criteria.

Biography

Grace Lalana Christopher is a Consultant Pediatrician at Grace Specialist Clinic, Bangalore, India.

E-mail: drgrace80@yahoo.com