Association of neonatal anthropometry with maternal anthropometry and demographics: a hospital-based cross-sectional study from Northern India

Kunj Bihari; Ekansh Rathoria; Mridula Srivastava; Richa Rathoria; Utkarsh Bansal

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264118

Authors

Kunj Bihari Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Ekansh Rathoria Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mridula Srivastava Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Richa Rathoria Department of Obstetrics and Geynecology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Utkarsh Bansal Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264118

Keywords:

Anthropometry, Birth weight, Body mass index, Fetal growth, Gestational age, Maternal nutritional status, Mid-upper arm circumference, Neonatal somatometrics

Abstract

Background: Identifying simple maternal physical predictors of neonatal growth is essential for early risk stratification in resource-constrained settings. This study evaluated the associations between third-trimester maternal physical parameters and neonatal anthropometrics.

Methods: A prospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 healthy term mother-neonate dyads at a tertiary care center in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. Maternal third-trimester weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), along with sociodemographic factors, were recorded. Neonatal birth weight, crown-heel length, and head circumference were measured within 24 hours of delivery. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests and Pearson correlation coefficients (p<0.05).

Results: Mean maternal age was 26.34±3.53 years and gestational age was 38.46±1.06 weeks. Mean neonatal birth weight, crown-heel length, and head circumference were 2.79±0.24 Kg, 46.08±1.15 cm, and 33.79±0.79 cm, respectively. Low birth weight (<2.5 kg) was observed in 6.3% (n=10). Maternal third-trimester weight, MUAC, and BMI demonstrated highly significant categorical associations with all neonatal parameters (p<0.001). Specifically, maternal weight and MUAC showed positive correlations with birth weight (r=0.516 and r=0.439, respectively), length (r=0.668 and r=0.485), and head circumference (r=0.664 and r=0.461; all p<0.001). Gestational age also correlated positively with all three neonatal measurements (p<0.05). Conversely, maternal height, age, parity, delivery mode, and socioeconomic status showed no statistically significant correlations with birth weight or head circumference (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Maternal third-trimester weight, BMI, and particularly MUAC demonstrate positive associations with neonatal birth dimensions. MUAC serves as a practical, low-cost screening tool for antenatal nutritional surveillance in rural healthcare settings.

Author Biographies

Mridula Srivastava, Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor

Richa Rathoria, Department of Obstetrics and Geynecology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor and Head

Utkarsh Bansal, Department of Pediatrics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor and Head

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