Abstract

Background: The outcome of pregnancy is strongly influenced by the maternal biosocial factors, intrauterine age, and genetic and biological characters of the fetus.

Aims and Objectives: Effect of maternal body size and socioeconomic status on the outcome of pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study carried out at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College Hospital and K.C. General Hospital, Bengaluru, during the period of October 2001–September 2002. The subjects for the study were pregnant women delivering at full term. Majority of the pregnant women participated in the study were in the age group of 20–30 years.

Results: Women (20–30 years) belonging to low- and lower middle-income groups gave birth to babies with relatively low birth weight. The placental size exhibited a demonstrable influence on the birth weight of male and female babies. The birth weight of the babies showed an increase with that of the abdominal circumference and fundal height.

Conclusion: An attempt was made to establish influence maternal socioeconomic status and placental size on the outcome of pregnancy in the age group of 20–35 years.

Key words: Socioeconomic Status; Newborn Weight; Hemoglobin; Placental Size; Fundal Height; Midarm Circumference; Abdominal Circumference