Explain the Pre Pregnancy Weight and Foetal Outcome?
Several studies from around the world from developing and developed countries have demonstrated an association between pre-conception body weight of the mother and LBW. The ICMR study in urban and rural India showed that pre-conception weight of less than 40 kg was a strong determinant of LBW. Another study conducted by the Nutrition Foundation of India (Nm) showed that body weight less than 45 kg was an influencing factor.
The incidence of LBW in women with pre pregnancy weight of 45 kg or more was 17% as against 30-33% in the poor communities in general. The ICMR study also demonstrated increased perinatal mortality of the infant if the mother's pre-conception weight was less than 40 kg. A favourable pre- conception weight in rural and urban Indian women would appear to be 45 kg or more within acceptable limits of body mass index (BMI). In any case, it should not be less than 40 kg, as this is associated with a high risk of delivering a LBW infant. Distressingly, according to data gathered by National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB), 1529% of adult women in different states have body weights less than 38 kg. This situation can only be remedied by addressing malnutrition in the girl child.