Etiology of low birth weight babies: Pre‐existing nutritional status of the mothers

Abstract

Questionnaires were given to 121 expectant mothers during the last week of the trimester of pregnancy. Questionnaires were to be retained after delivery of the child who fell into the category of Low Birth Weight Babies — weight 2.5kg — 3kg length at birth, 45‐52 cm. Sixty two mothers gave birth to low birth babies over a period of one year and three months at one of the private Ponle Maternity, Oke‐Ado Ibadan, Nigeria. Forty seven [75.8#pc] of the subjects were diagnosed to have iron deficiency anaemia during the first month of pregnancy. While four had sickle cell anaemia. [The highest level of education was Secondary II [37.0#pc] and lowest education was Primary School 31 [50#pc]. Low socio‐economic status played significant role in their dietary habits. Protein rich foods were quantitatively and qualitatively missing in their diets while their intake was entirely high carbohydrate foods. Vitamin C, folic acid and iron supplementation were recommended specifically to those diagnosed iron deficient. The...