scholarly journals Prevalence of Low Birth Weight Neonates during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital at Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

Author(s):  
Muhammad Parial Shahani ◽  
Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf ◽  
Azimatun Noor Aizuddin ◽  
Aneela Atta Ur Rahman ◽  
Saeed Ahmed Shaikh ◽  
...  

In comparison to other middle-income countries, Pakistan has a high prevalence of low birth weight.  Currently the situation has worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic where stress can have a negative impact on intrauterine development, leading to a rise in preterm birth rates and the incidence of low birth weight babies. The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of low birth weight in a tertiary care hospital in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, the hospital records of two thousand, two hundred and seventy eight neonates were analyzed from patients’ data register for the year 2020. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel spread sheet. Of 2278 children admitted to the neonatal ward, only 29.2% babies had birth weight within normal range, 0.7% neonates were high birth weight, and the rest of the admitted babies (70.1%) during the year 2020 had birth weight below 2500 grams. Smallest birth weight observed in the study was 0.9 kg and 4.8 kg was highest birth weight (mean 2.35 kg, SD 0.88, SE 0.012). Female neonates were 895 (39.3%) and the rest of the 1383 (60.7%) babies were male. This study revealed that in Sindh province of Pakistan, the prevalence of low birth weight is extremely high during COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the findings suggest that there is need for a lot more emphasis on improving maternal mental health, nutrition and several other relevant factors to reduce the prevalence of low birth weight.

Author(s):  
Priti J. Patale ◽  
Monika S. Masare ◽  
Seema S. Bansode-Gokhe

Background: To study the Epidemiological Factors related with the low Birth weight Babies born in tertiary care Hospital of teaching Medical Institution.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional observational study carried out in the Post Natal ward of Obstetric department of a tertiary care hospital of a metropolitan city, data collection was done from the Mothers of low birth weight babies by conducting face to face interview in the post-natal ward with a predesigned, structured Performa. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social science program.Results: The study showed that most of mothers of the babies were between the age group of 22 to 30 years 87 (58.3%) while 49 (32.8%) were below the age of 21 years and 13(8.7%) were above 30 years of age. Most of the study subjects 70 (47.0%) belongs to the lower socioeconomic status where as 62 (41.6%) and 17 (11.4%) belong to upper lower and middle socioeconomic class respectively. It was observed in the present study that maternal education, socioeconomic status, parity, maternal weight gain during pregnancy, height of the mother, tobacco habits either chewing or smoking, birth order of the baby are the factors, significantly associated with low birth weight of the baby.Conclusions: Socioeconomic development, maternal nutrition, and increasing the use of health services during pregnancy, are all important for reducing LBW. There is need to strengthen the existing maternal services at the basic level of community.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 2065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arshiya Rehman Sheikh ◽  
Sushama Subhash Thakre ◽  
Subhash Thakre ◽  
Chaitanya Rangangouda Patil ◽  
Prithvi B. Petkar

Background: In spite of the interventions being taken, low birth weight still persists as a public health problem in low and middle-income countries. World Health Organization defines low birth weight as birth weight less than 2500 gm. There is a constant search to find newer methods to detect low birth weight babies so that early methods can be instituted. This study was conducted to evaluate calf circumference as procedure to screen low birth weight babies in tertiary care hospital in Nagpur. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in tertiary care hospital of Nagpur, Maharashtra for a period of 4 months. The study subjects were babies delivered at the hospital. Birth weight was recorded using a digital weighing scale within 24 hours of the delivery. Length, calf circumference, head and chest circumference were measured according to standard guidelines. Results: Majority of mothers were in the age group of 20 to 24 years of age group, were educated up to primary school and belonged to Hindu religion. The mean calf circumference of low birth weight babies was 9.64±1.13 cm and was 10.96±1.01 cm in normal weight babies. The mean values of calf circumference were significantly lower in low birth weight babies (p <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for the best cut off of calf circumference was found to be 89.97% and 42.86% respectively.Conclusions: Measuring calf circumference was found to be a good test with higher sensitivity but lower specificity. Hence, calf circumference can be used as an alternative method to screen babies born in remote areas, where the facility of weighing the baby at birth is not available.


Author(s):  
Pamulaparthi Bindu Reddy ◽  
Gurram Swetha Reddy

Background: Placenta previa refers to the presence of placental tissue that extends over the internal cervical os.  Placenta previa is linked to maternal hypovolemia, anaemia, and long hospital stay and with prematurity, low birth weight, low APGAR score in newborn. So it is very important to identify the condition at an early date to warn the condition thereby reducing the maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. The present study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of PP, its associated predisposing risk factors and maternal morbidity, mortality and the perinatal outcome.Methods: A prospective observational study for two years was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Pregnant mothers with >28 weeks of age with H/o ante partum haemorrhage were screened for placenta previa, confirmed by ultra sonography and included in the study. Clinical history, obstetric examination was done and followed up till the delivery. Maternal and foetal outcomes were recorded. Data analyzed by using SPSS version 20.Results: 1.4% incidence of PP was noted, mean age of group was 29.17±1.6 years. Age group of 21-30 years, multiparity Gravida 2-4, previous history of caesarean section and less number of ante natal checkups were significant risk factors and LSCS was most common outcome. Prematurity, low birth weight and APGAR <7 score for 1 minute was common foetal outcomes.Conclusions: Our study strongly suggests foetal surveillance programmes in cases of placenta previa. Measures should be made to bring awareness about PP, in urban slums and to increase medical checkups regularly. Making USG mandatory during every ANC and referral of cases of PP to tertiary care centres would definitely reduce the chances of morbidity and mortality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4
Author(s):  
Husneyara Haque ◽  
Upendra Pandit

Introduction: Placenta previa is an obstetric complication which causes considerable maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. This study is done with the objective to find out the clinico-demographic factors associated with placenta previa and to analyze maternal and perinatal outcome in these cases. Methods: This was a retrospective study done in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Nepalgunj Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepalgunj, a tertiary care hospital from Midwestern Nepal. Relevant data were retrieved from maternity register from June 2015 to May 2017. All women who had undergone caesarean section for placenta previa were included in this study. Result: Out of total 5812 deliveries during the study period there were 50 caesarian sections done for placenta previa which is 0.86% of total deliveries. Maximum number of mothers belonged to 26- 30 years of age group. Commonest type of placenta previa was minor type. About 72% were multiparous. 20% had previous LSCS and 24% had previous abortion. Postpartum hemorrhage was present in 36% mothers and 32% received blood transfusion. About 64% new born were preterm and low birth weight. 34% babies had less than 7 apgar score at 5 min. Still births were 6%. Conclusion: Placenta previa poses greater risk and need of blood transfusion to mother as well as birth of preterm and low birth weight babies which leads to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis, regular antenatal check up and effective management may improve pregnancy outcome.


Author(s):  
Renu Sulakhe Vasant ◽  
Lavanya K. M. Rao ◽  
Nageswara Rao V.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the commonest cause for infant and childhood morbidity and mortality. The majority of low birth weight in developing countries is due to intrauterine growth retardation, while most low birth weight in industrialized countries is due to preterm birth. LBW is the single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child. The objectives of the study were to assess the proportion of low birth weight among babies delivered by mothers at a tertiary care hospital and to analyse the relationship between low birth weight and certain socio-demographic factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care centre for a period of six months.Results: The prevalence of LBW was 23.5%. The proportion of mothers having low birth weight was maximum in women aged less than 18 years (35%) and more than 30 years (26.5%). Muslim women had a higher proportion of LBW (28.8%). LBW was more in women belonging to joint family (30.0%), low per capita income group and illiterates.Conclusions: The prevalence of LBW still continues to be high, almost one fourth of the babies are LBW. Different socio-demographic characteristics of the population are still the important factors determining the occurrence of LBW.


Author(s):  
Pradip Kumar Bhue ◽  
Himansu Prasad Acharya ◽  
Subrat Kumar Pradhan ◽  
Pratima Biswal ◽  
Amit Pritam Swain ◽  
...  

Background: World Health Organization has defined low birth weight (LBW) as birth weight less than 2,500 grams. Giving birth to a LBW infant is influenced by several factors. Objective of the study was to measure the proportion of low birth weight babies delivered in V.S.S medical college and hospital, Burla and its association with socio-demographic factors.Methods: Hospital based cross -sectional study comprising of 1030 postnatal women who delivered single live baby in V.S.S Medical College and Hospital, Burla. Selection of study participants was done by systematic random sampling in the study period October 2012 to September 2014. Chi-square test was used to measure association between LBW and socio-demographic factors.Results: The proportion of LBW was found to be 27.76%. The proportion of LBW babies was high and significant in extremes of age i.e. teenage (44.19%) and 30 years and above age group (39.56%) and Muslim mothers (36.36%), illiterate mothers (53.52 %), manual labourer (67.14%), socioeconomic class IV and V (32.98%), consanguinity history (60.58%), smoky fuel (30.02%), consumption of tobacco (49.11%).Conclusions: The proportion of LBW (27.76%) was found to be higher than national average (21.5%).


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