Deferential and associated factors of low birth weights in selected high and low fertility states in India

Priya Sharma, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Navaid Ali Khan, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The W.H.O. has defined the term low birth weight as “the birth weight of new born infants less than 2500 grams. Maternal factors include malnutrition, severe anemia, heavy physical work, malaria, smoking; low socioeconomic status, early motherhood, high parity and close birth spacing etc. A baby low birth weight at birth is either the result of pre-term births or of restricted foetal growth. LBW is closely associated with foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, cognitive development and also chronic disease later in life. NFHS-1, 2 and 3 data has been used for this study. Bi-variate and multivariate analysis techniques have been used in this study to know the prevalence, covariates and determinants of low birth weight of babies. This study provides the level, differential and state of low birth weight babies and risk factors associated with low birth weight.