Trends and Prevalence of Low Birth Weight in India: What Does data suggest?

Dharmendra Kumar  Dubey; Pramod Kumar  Mishra; Dilip C.  Nath

doi:10.18502/jbe.v10i2.17638

Dharmendra Kumar Dubey Department of Community Medicine, Baba Kinaram Autonomous State Medical College, Government of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Pramod Kumar Mishra Medical Superintendents, Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
Dilip C. Nath Professor Emeritus in Royal School of Applied & Pure Sciences, the Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jbe.v10i2.17638

Keywords: Low birth weight; NFHS; Trend; Heaping; Indi

Abstract

Introduction: “Low birth weight” (LBW) is defined as birth weight < 2.5 kg (2500 grams). LBW infants remain at a relatively higher risk of mortality than those with normal birth weight. This is still a major public health problem in developing countries like India. This study examines the trend and prevalence of LBW in India and its data characteristics.

Methods: National Family Health Survey (N.F.H.S.) data rounds were collected from 1992-2021. The study sample included women aged 15-49 years. The logistic regression model was fitted to assess the maternal determinants affecting the birth weight among newborns. Also, the heaping pattern of the data for each round of N.F.H.S. data was analyzed.

Results: The trend and prevalence of low birth weight were reported 1884 (25.2%) in the first round of the National Family Health Survey, 1859 (22.7 %) in the second, 4146 (21.5%) in the third, 35476 (18.2%) in fourth, and 38167 (18.2%) in fifth, which remains constant in comparison to the previous round.

Conclusion: The prevalence of LBW in India has declined over the past decades as reported in data like NFHS-I, II & III, but NFHS-IV and V are constant. Sociodemographic factors are shown as a risk factor for LBW. Data heaping is a key challenge to give the correct estimate of LBW and it is found in each round of the data set. Maternal health services are required during the gestation period to reduce LBW