Household Wealth Gradient in Low Birthweight in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

A low birthweight is a common complication that can result from numerous physiological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, and can put babies at an increased risk for health issues such as breathing difficulties, developmental delays, and even death in severe cases. In this analysis, I aim to assess the differences in the burden of low birthweight based on household wealth status in India using data from the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2019–21). The sample population includes 161,596 mother–child dyads. A low birthweight is defined as a weight that is <2500 g at birth. I used descriptive and multivariate regression analyses in R studio to analyse the data. The findings show that 16.86% of the babies had a low birthweight. At the state level, the percentage of low birthweights ranges from 3.85% in Nagaland to 21.81% in Punjab. The mean birthweights range from 2759.68 g in the poorest, 2808.01 g in the poorer, 2838.17 g in the middle, 2855.06 g in the richer, and 2871.30 g in the richest wealth quintile households. The regression analysis indicates that higher wealth index quintiles have progressively lower risks of low birthweight, with the association being stronger in the rural areas. Compared with the poorest wealth quintile households, the risk ratio of low birthweight was 0.90 times lower for the poorer households and 0.74 times lower for the richest households. These findings indicate that household wealth condition is an important predictor of low birthweight by which low-income households are disproportionately affected. As wealth inequality continues to rise in India, health policymakers must take the necessary measures to support the vulnerable populations in order to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.