Determinants of low birth weight in a tertiary care setting of an aspirational district
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262250Keywords:
Low birth weight, Aspirational district, Antenatal care, Maternal nutrition, Birth spacing, Public health, IndiaAbstract
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) remains a critical challenge for neonatal survival and long-term health, particularly within India's aspirational districts. This study aims to identify the clinical, socioeconomic, and nutritional determinants of LBW in the high-altitude terrain of Himachal Pradesh.
Methods: A retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional audit was conducted at a tertiary care centre. The study analysed data from 151 LBW infants (<2500 g) born between 1 April and 30 June 2025, using records from the HMIS portal, medical record section, and antenatal clinic registers.
Results: The facility reported a 15.5% LBW rate. Key determinants included poor antenatal care (ANC) utilization, with 50% of mothers failing to achieve early registration (within 12 weeks) and 79% attending fewer than the recommended four ANC visits. Nutritional factors; 32% of mothers were underweight at conception, and 44% achieved a gestational weight gain of less than 10 kg. Obstetric findings revealed that 80% of cases had birth intervals of less than three years, contributing to maternal nutrient depletion. Additionally, while 50% of pregnancies were categorized as high-risk, 95% of cases were non-referred, indicating that the tertiary facility is overburdened with routine deliveries.
Conclusions: The high incidence of LBW is driven by late clinical registration, maternal undernutrition, and systemic healthcare burdens. Improving outcomes requires precision interventions, including strengthened grassroots outreach for 100% early registration and the establishment of dedicated high-risk pregnancy clinics.
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