Mark Egbert
Final Summary
Anthropometric determinants of low birth weight in newborns of
Hoshiarpur district (Punjab) – A hospital Based study
In the Hoshiapur district, India, a study was conducted to help predict low birth weight
(LBW) in newborn babies. Having a low birth weight is a strong indicator that later in life you could have health problems. It is widely known that there is a correlation between the health of the population and birth weight. It is also known there is a higher percentage of LBW in developing countries versus developed countries. This study was conducted to further explore ways to identify and predict LBW in newborns.
The study aimed to accurately identify and prevent LBW early on so that neonatal mortality can be reduced and that those who were considered to be at risk could be given medical attention promptly. Throughout different studies, different methods have been suggested to classify and identify which babies are considered to be LBW babies. This study was conducted to determine the most accurate measurements used to identify LBW babies.
The study used data from four private hospitals between the dates of May 2009 to
September 2010. It was comprised of 504 mothers from the ages of 20-35 years old. The study excluded any mothers that had multiple pregnancies, chronic illness, diseases, or any large abnormality. The method for determining low birth weight was to take measurements of most parts of the infants’ body within 48 hours of birth. The study used an infantometer to measure height and a scale to measure weight while the babies were undressed. The babies’ skinfolds were measured using Harpender skinfold calipers, and the circumference of the babies’ mid-

upper arm, thigh, head, chest, abdomen, calf, and heel to crown were measured with inelastic tape. Circumference measurements were taken to the nearest .1 cm and caliper measurements were taken to the nearest .2 cm.
Of all measurements used in this study, it was found that the mid-arm circumference was
100% accurate making it the most accurate prediction of LBW. The second most accurate measurement to determine LBW was the chest measurement which was about 90% accurate. In fact, approximately 20-30% of all babies in India were found to be underweight.
One of the limitations of the study was that the population was all from the same place in
India however, LBW babies are something that all countries have and this information can be used throughout the world. With the information gathered in this study, they were able to conclude that the much acknowledged problem of LBW in developing and developed countries can be improved by preventing, identifying, and treating LBW early on. Although it was found that male babies were slightly more likely to have LBW, overall, it was about the same distribution between males and females. Babies weighing 2.5k or less will be considered to be
BW babies and will be medically treated as such. By finding the most accurate measurement and determining the numerical cut-off for LBW baby classification, the health community can standardize their measurement practices to prevent neonatal illness and mortality. To put a perspective on India’s problem the NNF has said: “The national neonatal perinatal database reported that nearly about one third of all neonates born in major hospitals of India every year are low birth weight. Of all neonatal deaths, nearly 82% occur among low birth weight, which is the highest in the world.” (NNF, 2005). With LBW being a possible indicator of life long health problems like mental retardation, vision and hearing problems, cerebral palsy and many other diseases and disabilities a strong study to predict low birth weight is essential.