Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a public health issue since it causes several baby health issues. Anemia, a hemoglobin deficiency, is a common pregnancy problem. This case-control study will compare the birth weight of anemic mothers' babies to those of normal-hemoglobin mothers.
Objective: This case-control study explores the potential association between anemia in pregnant women and the likelihood of delivering a low birth weight baby.
Methods: CMH Saidpur, Nilphamari, Bangladesh, investigated the relationship between anemia and birth weight of baby in full-term mothers. From January 2022 to January 2023, 275 eligible volunteers participated in the study. Group A comprised women with anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dl) and Group B included individuals with normal hemoglobin levels.
Result: Group A: 40% over 32, 36.47% 18-24, 23.53% 25-31. Group B is much older, with 42.85% 25-31, 30.48% 18-24, and 26.67% over 32 (P-value = 0.0121). Most of group A (57.65%) had a BMI below 18.5, 29.41% between 18.5 and 25, and 12.94% above 25. In group B, 46.67% had a BMI between 18.5 and 25, 30.47% below 18, and 22.86% above 25. Groups A and B had different BMI distributions. Antenatal visit distribution differs considerably between groups (p< 0.05). The P-value for parity distribution variation is 0.0403. 103 (60.59%) had LUCS and 67 (39.41%) had NVD in group A. Group B included 15 NVD and 90 LUCS, making up 85.71% of the total. P-value < 0.05. A statistically significant correlation exists between group membership and diagnosis. In Group A, 98 (57.64%) had newborns under 2.5kg and 72 (42.35%) had infants beyond 2.5 kg. In group B, 78 (45.88%) had neonates under 2.5kg and 92 (54.12%) had newborns exceeding 2.5kg. The weights of newborns in Group A and Group B differ considerably (p-value 0.0528).
Conclusion: This study indicated that term pregnancies with anemia were more likely to have low birth weight than those with normal birth weight. The study also found that maternal, low BMI, inadequate antenatal care, more prior pregnancies, and contributed to low birth weight.