ABSTRACT
Background: Birth weight is a critical determinant of child survival and growth and a valuable indicator of maternal health, nutrition, and quality of life. Antenatal care (ANC) provides an array of available medical, nutritional, and educational interventions intended to reduce the incidence of low birth weight (LBW). Objective: This study was done to find out the sociodemographic and antenatal factors associated with LBW among babies delivered in a tertiary care health facility in Kolkata. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional institution based observational study conducted from November 2016 to October 2018 among 410 postnatal mothers in the postnatal ward of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal. Data were obtained by interview method along with record analysis (medical and hospital records). Dependent variable was LBW (<2.5 kg). Ethical clearance was obtained from Local Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health Kolkata and Medical College, Kolkata. Results: Out of 410 babies, 112 (27.3%) were LBW. Out of 112 LBW babies, 59 (52.7%) were preterm (<37 weeks); 51(45.5%) were term (37–42 weeks), and 2 (1.8%) were post-term (>42 weeks). Multi-variable logistic regression showed LBW to be significantly associated with poor economic status (below middle class), mothers who belonged to nuclear family, delayed registration (≥12 weeks), anemia in pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, weight gain in kg less than normal (i.e., below 9 kg), and poor consumption of specific nutritional supplements. Conclusion: Poor economic status and inadequate ANC continue to remain the most important factors for LBW. A good quality ANC package will ensure prevention of LBW babies.