Abstract:
Abstract: Low birth weight remains a significant public health problem in many developing countries including Bangladesh. According to the report of BBS, 2007, the prevalence of LBW was 36%. The present study aimed to assess the current status of LBW and its determinants among the neonates born in an urban hospital. This cross-sectional study was conducted in BIRDEM hospital, data were collected from Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a total of 175 subjects who had delivered within 24 hrs. Anthropometric data (height, weight, MUAC) were measured by standard method. History of the patients was collected from the hospital record books and face to face interview of the subjects. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by using statistical package SPSS, version 15. The prevalence of LBW was found to be 39% among the studied subjects. The anthropometric values of mothers who delivered LBW babies and among them who delivered NBW babies were almost similar. We found that maternal age and physical condition were approximately similar between the two groups. It was observed that gestational period was significantly (p=0.03) lower among LBW babies compared to NBW babies. The result showed that among the mothers of LBW babies, 44% was at 1st parity, 37% was at 2nd parity and 19% was at 3rd or above. The prevalence of LBW was 39% in an urban public maternity center. Maternal gestational age significantly influenced on low birth weight.
