Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND PROVIDING NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

J. Mary Avanthi*, K. Kalyani, N. Sravani, J. Sai Krishna and A. Pavan Kumar

ABSTRACT

Low birth weight is defined as one whose birth weight is less than 2500 grams irrespective of gestational age. Newborn babies’ average weight at full term is about 7 pounds (3.2kgs). A low- birth-weight babies head may appear to be bigger than the rest of the body and look much smaller than other babies of normal birth weight. It is nearly managed by observation, nursing care, breast feeding, thermoregulation, and nutritional support. The main aim of the study is to assess the factors associated with low birth weight and provided them nutritional support to improve their quality of life. A prospective observational study was conducted for a period of 6 months (August 2023 to January 2024) during the year 2023-2024 at district government hospital Proddatur. A specially designed proforma was used for collecting data. OVERALL, 120 patients were included in the study. The incidence of low birth weight was higher in females 64(53.3%), 29-32 gestational weeks 37 (30.8%), normal vaginal delivery 78 (65%), weight of child 1.5 to 2.0 kgs with 65 (54%), full term maturity 97 (80.8%), the main factors associated with low birth weight are stress 28 (23.3%), poor nutrition 27 (22.5%), birth spacing below 2 years (64%), multivitamin supplementation was done to 108 (90%), dietary counselling was done to 120 (100%) and the treatment was followed by dextrose 65 (54%), calcium gluconate 64 (53.3%), amikacin 54 (45%0, caffeine citrate 53 (44%).Our study concluded that the factors associated with low birth weight are gestational age less than 37 weeks, twining, maternal malnutrition, and birth interval. Early identification and management help to reduce low birth weight cases. It is generally managed with breast feeding and nutritional support.

Keywords: Low birth weight, Gestational age, Nutrition, Breast feeding.