Influence of pre-pregnancy weight, maternal height and weight gain during pregnancy on birth weight

Abstract EN

Objective : To study the effect of pre-pregnancy weight, maternal height and weight gain during pregnancy on birth weight.

Design : A community based longitudinal study.

Setting: The study was conducted in the rural field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.

Study Period : Between 1st June 1996 to 31st January 1998.

Subjects : A total of 75 pregnancies were followed up till delivery.

Main outcome and measures : Pre-pregnancy weight, maternal height, weight gain during pregnancy and other baseline characteristics were collected using a pre-tested proforma.

Weight of the baby was recorded immediately after birth.

Results: The mean pre-pregnancy weight and maternal height were 43.7 kg (SD = 6.6) and 154.2 cm (SD = 5.2) respectively.

The mean weight gain during pregnancy was found to be 8.0 kg (SD=2.6).

The mean birth weight was 2869.7 gm (SD = 467.2) with a range of 1380- 3800gm.

A statistically significant correlation was observed between pre-pregnancy weight (r = 0.4, p< 0.001), maternal height (r = 0.36, p = 0.001), weight gain during pregnancy (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and birth weight.

Interpretation and conclusion: Multiple regression analysis revealed that pre-pregnancy weight, maternal height and weight gain during pregnancy were independently associated with birth weight.