Maternal Anthropometry as a Tool to Screen Mothers at High Risk of Delivering Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Multi-Centered Study in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Maternal anthropometric measurements have influence on birth weight of neonates with varying extent and can be used to screen high risk pregnancies.

Objective: To identify appropriate maternal anthropometric cut-off values associated with high risk of delivering Low Birth Weight (LBW) neonates in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: An analytical cross sectional study was carried out in 2 government and 5 private hospitals in Lahore. Postnatal women were approached consecutively and those fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and gave written consent were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements i.e. weight, height and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 800 postnatal women and birth weight of their neonates were recorded. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board (IRB) of one of the hospital. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 22.

Results: Mean maternal age was 27.72(+4.392) years and mean maternal education was 12.1(+4.425) years. Optimum cut-offs to detect risk of LBW were identified as MUAC <28.75 cm (OR=1.334,CI=0.919-1.935), height <157.5 cm (OR=2.134,CI=1.460-3.120), booking weight <62.5 kg (OR=1.971,CI=1.349-2.881), pre-delivery weight <72.5 kg (OR=2.348,CI=1.593-3.461), booking BMI <26.6 kg/m² (OR=1.003,CI=0.680-1.479), pre-delivery <BMI 28.8 kg/m² (OR=1.461,CI=1.004-2.127), and weight gain <17.8 lbs. (OR=3.088,CI=2.089-4.565).

Conclusion:  Country specific cut-off values for maternal anthropometric measurements have been identified. Cut-off for maternal height, booking weight and weight gain were effective in screening mothers at high risk of delivering LBW neonates.