Comparison between the dietary practices among females giving birth to normal and low birth weight babies

Abstract

In malnourished people low birth weight is frequent mainly due to intrauterine growth limitation. Low birth weight is linked with high rates of fetal deaths, poor growth in childhood, abnormal brain development and long term illness in adulthood. Maternal poor dietary intake,  habits  and practices are directly associated with low birth weight Objective: To Compare the dietary practices among females giving birth to normal and low birth weight babies Methods: A Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Pediatric and Gynea departments of Sir Ganga Ram hospital and the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Study duration was 4 months and sample size was 100 females and divided into two groups, Group I 50 females giving birth to normal weight babies Group II 50 females giving birth to low birth weight babies. Data collection was carried out by using pre-tested questionnaire/Performa. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS version 21.0.   Data were compared by applying chi-square test Results: Current result showed that anemia was more common in pregnant females giving low birth weight babies as compared to females with normal weight babies. Analysis revealed that there was a significant association between mothers dietary intake and birth weight of child Conclusions: LBW were more prevalent amongst all the pregnant females, with inadequate dietary practices, inappropriate food choices, myths or restricted diet during pregnancy due to peer pressure leading to low birth weight babies. The rate of LBW were more affected by their food choices as compared to mothers with normal weight babies.