Study of birth weight of Sri Lankan babies.

Abstract

A prospective cohort study carried out on all women, registering antenatal clinic, professorial unit; De Soysa Maternity Hospital for the duration of six months, by the aid of questionnaire to develop customized growth charts for Sri Lankan babies by examining physiological variables, influencing fetal growth, to determine cut off point for small for gestational age babies in Sri Lanka and to examine relationship between birth weight and several physiological variables. The mean birth weight increased with increase height of mother. and a positive correlation was seen (R=O.124). The mean birth weight of baby increased with maternal weight booking weight and birth weight of baby was well correlated (R= +.0.343L). Maternal weight: alone causes 11.7 percent variation in birth weight.90 percent of babies delivered at ten. The mean birth weight of new born increased with gestational duration at delivery. The mean birth weight of males was higher than female new born. This difference was statistically significant. (P=O.027). 19.5 percent of babies were below 2.5kg birth weight. Low birth weight was higher in small women. This study examined a variety of physiological birth weight determinant and assessed their relative importance. This study population in insufficient to develop growth centime charts. This study can be used as preliminary study for future survey