Effects of Different Nutritional Factors on Neonates Birth Weight

Abstract

Under nutrition in mothers is a major factor which results in abnormal or reduced growth of fetus, low birth weight (LBW), neonatal illness and infant death Objective: To determine the association of dietary factors with birth weight of neonates Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 mothers, divided into 2 groups, one having normal weight (NW) infants and other having LBW infants. Data regarding their dietary habits and anthropometric measurements were taken Results: The results showed that 29 mothers of NW babies were older child born with NW, 21 mothers of NW babies were not older child born with NW, whereas 29 mothers of LBW babies were older child born with NW, 21 mothers of LBW babies were not older child born with NW. There was an insignificant association (p=1.000) between education and neonate’s birth weight as p-value is greater than 0.05. Conclusions: The rate of LBW were more affected by their food choices (lack of knowledge, improper antenatal care, less consumption of milk and protein and also fruits and vegetable) as compared to mothers with NW babies, other confounding determinants such as illiteracy rate, poor maternal nutrition and lifestyle factors, no knowledge regarding balanced diet and supplementation among pregnant females leads to prevalence of LBW infants.