Background: Low birth weight (LBW) has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as birth weight less than 2,500 grams. In India, 30-35% babies are LBW. LBW is closely associated with foetal and neonatal mortality as well as morbidity and has a very complex aetiology.
Aims & Objective: The present study was undertaken with the objectives of ascertaining epidemiological determinants of LBW.
Materials and Methods: A facility based case-control study was carried out in all the 3 tertiary hospitals of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation during April-2012 to September-2012. A total of 100 cases weighing < 2.5 kg and controls weighing > 2.5 kg each were selected during the study period. Crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate independent effect of maternal characteristic on LBW.
Results: A significant association was observed between LBW and maternal age at consummation < 20 years, maternal education, socio-economic status, inter-pregnancy interval, antenatal visit < 3, maternal height
Key words: Case-control study, Low Birth Weight, Tobacco chewing
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