Proportion of Low Birth Weight (LBW) Among Newborn Babies Delivered at Dhaka Medical College Hospital

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Low birth weight (LBW) remains a major public health problem especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. We assessed the proportion of LBW of the newborn babies delivered at DMCH and its associated maternal factors. <i>Methodology: </i>This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 57 mother and newborn pairs delivered at Postnatal obstetrics wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka. Data was collected from each participants by face to-face interview using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire which included socio-demographic information and information about birth weight and its associated maternal factors. <i>Result: </i>This study involved 257 participants with a mean age of 25 years (±4.26), primarily aged 21 to 30 (64.97%). Approximately 38.13% had a monthly family income below 15,000 taka, and 10.98% of mothers were illiterate. One-third received 2 to 4 antenatal visits, with 8.56% having none. Delivery methods were nearly equal, with 49.02% vaginal and 50.97% cesarean. Common complications included PROM (14.39%), pre-term labor (11.67%), and GDM (10.89%). Term pregnancies accounted for 70%, while among preterm births, 20.23% were low birth weight (LBW) and 4.67% very low birth weight (VLBW), surpassing general population rates. <i>Conclusion: </i>Lack of regular antenatal care (ANC) visits and poor maternal diet significantly impact newborn birth weight. To reduce low birth weight (LBW), it is essential to monitor maternal diets and ensure at least four ANC visits for all mothers. LBW infants are at higher risk of mortality and chronic diseases, making its reduction vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on infant mortality. Further multi-center studies are needed to accurately assess LBW prevalence in Bangladesh.