ABSTRACT
A strong relationship between maternal weight and birth weight has been demonstrated consistently and low maternal weight is considered as a preventable risk factor for low birth weight. To determine the frequency of preterm labour and fetal outcome in terms of low birth weight in pregnant women with low body mass index<19. Descriptive case series. Setting: Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, a tertiary care hospital. Duration of study: Six months from 01-05-2009 to 01-11-2009. Subjects and Total 114 pregnant women at 16 weeks of gestational age with singleton pregnancy reporting to obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Combined Military Hospital, Quetta were selected. Mean age was observed 27.6 +/- 3.9 year. Out of total 114 patients, 15 [13.1%] belonged to<37 weeks of gestation while 99 [86.9%] patients had>37 weeks gestation. Mean gestational age observed 38.5 +/- 4.1. Out of 15 preterm deliveries, 10 [66.7%] had uterine contractions>4/10 min 5 and [33.3%] patients had Cervical dilatation>2cm. Out of 114 patients, 12 [10.5%] cases had fetal weight<2.5 kg and while remaining 102 cases [89.5%] had fetal weight 2.5-4 Kg. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that low BMI is associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight babies