Maternal Anthropometry and Low Birth Weight: A Review
G. Devaki 
and R. Shobha
Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS), Symbiosis International, Deemed University, Taluka: Mulshi, District: Pune-412115.
Corresponding Author E-mail: devakijgokhale@gmail.com
Abstract: Low birth weight is one of the major causes of neonatal disease and death. Low birth weight comprises of mounting serious health problems in adult life and is a cause of concern in many countries, India being one of them. Various factors influence and determine the risk of delivering an infant with a birth weight. less than 2500g. Maternal anthropometry is one such factor which has an association with pregnancy outcome. More so, nutritional status assessment a prominent factor for assessment for risk of low birth weight depends heavily on maternal anthropometric factors, some reflect the maternal nutritional status or energy stores such as height, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy BMI, while others reflect the changes during the course of pregnancy such as weight and weight gain patterns. Studies done globally and in India have reported various such indicators along with their cut offs for determining the risk of low birth weight, this review focuses on few such crucial maternal anthropometric parameters and their effect on neonatal birth weight.
Keywords: Anthropometry; Birth Weight; Maternal Low Nutritional Status Back to TOC