English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Babies of low birth weight (LBW) include 2,499 g or less weight as stated by WHO. LBW consists of VLBW which is below 1500 g and extremely low birth weight which is lesser than 1000 g. The normal gross weight of the infant at the time of delivery is 2500 - 4200 g. The cause of LBW is preterm birth or a slow prenatal growth rate. The survival rate is determined by the baby’s birth weight. Several risk factors are also associated such as multiple pregnancies, poor nutrition, hypertension, drug addiction or intake of alcohol. It is very necessary to prevent LBW rather than treating it after birth. The present study was done to assess the prevalence of lowbirth-weight babies and its risk factors among postnatal mothers in the Wardha district. METHODS A descriptive research design was undertaken, and 35 postnatal mothers in the Wardha district were selected for the study, the data was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire and a risk factor assessment scale was used for postnatal mothers. RESULTS The result of the study shows the prevalence rate of LBW babies among postnatal mothers as 49.18 %, and there was an assessment of risk factors among postnatal mothers from selected areas and association of prevalence of low birth with selected demographic variables. There was no association of prevalence of lowbirth-weight babies among postnatal mothers in relation to demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that there is a good prevalence of LBW babies but mothers didn’t have adequate knowledge regarding LBW of babies and risk factors that affect the mother as well as the foetus. KEY WORDS Low Birth Weight, Preterm, Gestation, Dehydration, Hyperthermia, Hypothermia