BIRTH WEIGHT PATTERN OF NEWBORNS

Birth Weight Pattern

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of the study were to determine the distribution of the birth weight of the newborns and identify the effects of gender, parity and socioeconomic status on it.
Place and duration of study: CMH Thal (Kohat), KRL Hospital Kahuta and POFs Hospital Wah Cantt from Jun 2002 to Sep 2005.
Patients and Methods: All the live born singleton normal babies born between 37-42 weeks of gestation were included. Premature babies, babies with congenital anomalies and those born to the mothers with malnutrition, obesity, anemia, chronic illnesses and obstetric complications were excluded from the study. Birth weight of each baby was measured to the nearest 100 gram on a baby weighing scale. Infants having birth weight of 2.5-4.0 kg were termed as normal birth weight, those less than 2.5 kg as low birth weight and more than 4.0 kg as large weight babies. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.10. 
Results: The total number of babies was 1026. Males were 54% and females were 46%.  Mean birth weight was 3.08 kg.  Birth weight ranged from 1.6 kg to 5.0 kg. Mean birth weight of male babies and babies of higher socioeconomic group was higher than that of the females and the babies of lower socioeconomic group. Seventy nine percent of the neonates had a normal birth weight. Sixteen percent had low birth weight and only 5% were large babies. There was no significant difference in the mean birth weights of the babies of mothers with different parities. 
Conclusion: This study revealed that majority of analyzed population had normal birth weight. Male neonates and babies of higher socioeconomic group were heavier as compared to females and those of lower socioeconomic group. Parity however did not have any significant affect on the birth weight.