Maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) in Early Pregnancy as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Infants

Abstract

Low birth weight is one of the determinants of infant mortality, morbidity, and disability, which can even have an impact on the future. Several studies have suggested that the condition of low birth weight (LBW) infants is influenced by the lack of maternal nutritional status in early pregnancy. Moreover, the prevalence of malnutrition in Indonesia is still high. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the relationship of maternal nutritional status in early pregnancy as a predictor of LBW infants. Using a cross-sectional study design, this study involved 62 pregnant patients aged 20–35 years who had antenatal visits and a term delivery at Puskesmas Kecamatan Cakung. The measurements of body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in early pregnancy are used to determine the maternal nutritional status. Pregnant women with BMI <18.5 or MUAC <23.5 cm are considered to have less nutritional status. Meanwhile, LBW infants are defined as babies with birth weight <2500 grams. This study proves that the risk of birth of LBW infants is increased in pregnant women with BMI <18.5 (underweight) (OR 5.37) and less MUAC (OR 20.4).