IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-4-10535 Original Research Paper CORRELATION BETWEEN MATERNAL ANTHOPOMETRIC FACTORS AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES Urmila M. Chauhan Dr. Dr. Pravin Dahake Dr. April 2017 6 4 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Background: Low birth weight is one of the most serious challenges in maternal and child health, in both developing and developed countries. There is a strong and significant positive correlation between maternal nutritional status and length of pregnancy and birth weight. Against this background present study was planned to study the correlation between maternal anthropometric factors and birth weight and to find out prevalence of low birth weight babies. Material and method: The present study was carried out in a municipal hospital with level two nursery facility over a period of one year. There were total 1154 birth during one year study period. Total 240 low birth weight babies meet the inclusion criteria of study. Maternal anthropometric parameters were compared with the birth weight of babies using correlation coefficient.Result: In present study 55.42% were males while 44.58% were females. There was a positive correlation Coefficient (r value 0.324066) between maternal age and birth weight. There was positive linear correlation between mother’s pre–pregnancy weight and birth weight; the r value was 0.3234298846. Birth weight shows increasing trends as the mother weight increases. The relationship between maternal height and birth weight is statistically significant, r values was 0.232164. As the height increased birth weight also showed similar trend. Higher maternal Hemoglobin (Hb) levels correlated well with better Mean Birth weight (MBW) of babies, and there was a positive correlation between them and the “r value” being 0.323871.Conclusion: Maternal age, pre–pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, maternal height and maternal hemoglobin level had shown positive correlation with birth weight of babies. Recommendation: Major emphasis should be given for proper ANC care and especially for nutritional status of mother during ANC period