Abstract :
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of low birth weight babies born at Liaquat University Hospital
Hyderabad
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This Descriptive study (case series) of six months was conducted at Department of
Gynecology & Obstetrics and Neonatal unit of pediatric department LUH Hyderabad. The low birth weight was
defined as less than 2500 g. In this study, 1511 babies were born during study period and 565 (37.4%) of them were
LBW. Out of these 565 LBW babies, 237 (41.9%) babies with one or more problems were admitted in neonatal unit
at Pediatric department LUH Hyderabad for evaluation of immediate problems and their data was collected on
preformed proforma by principal researcher and analyzed using SPSS version-10.
RESULTS: Out of total 1511 deliveries at LUH Hyderabad, 565 newborn were LBW giving prevalence of 37.4%.
Out of these 565 LBW, male newborn were 55.8% and females were 44.2%, full term LBW were 61.2% while
38.8% were preterm LBW and 67.4% were small for gestational age (SGA) while 32.6% were appropriate for
gestational age (AGA). 69.2% had birth weight 2500-1500 g. Babies with birth weight 1499-1000 g and 999-750 g
included 27.8% and 3.0% respectively out of these 565 LBW babies.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed increased prevalence of low birth weight (37.4%) as compared to general
population (25.0%). low birth weight was common in males and majority of LBW infants were SGA and full-term.
Keyword :
Low birth weight, Small for gestational age, Appropriate for gestational age