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Abstract

Aim: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study of pregnant mothers who delivered in four randomly selected health facilities in urban Abeokuta, Nigeria. The study examined the influence of maternal nutritional status with particular focus on weight gain in pregnancy, on newborn birth weight and particularly low birth weight (LBW). Methods: Five hundred and twelve pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinics were recruited for the study as they became available. Complete physical examination, clinical profile along with weight, biochemical and hematological measurements were carried out. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: The mean weight gain of the pregnant mothers in this study was 7.78±1.01 kg. Primiparous mothers recorded the lowest mean weight gain of 6.17±1.05 kg. Weight gain of 7 kg and below was associated with 12.12% LBW incidence, while mothers who gained 9 kg and above, recorded the lowest LBW incidence of 0.39%. Mothers with hemoglobin (Hb) below 7 g% had the highest incidence of LBW (9.96%) while those with Hb of 10 g% and above recorded the lowest LBW incidence of 0.59%. Weight gain in pregnancy, maternal hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, serum cholesterol, and serum albumin were all found to be significant for LBW (p<0.001). Conclusion: Maternal nutritional status impacted significantly on newborn birth weight as poorly nourished mothers were observed to produce a higher percentage of LBW babies when compared to those who were better nourished.

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