Exploring Pregnant Women and Very Low Birth Weight Babies: A Study in a Tertiary Care Medical College Hospital

Abstract

Low birth weight is a critical indicator of new-born health, particularly in developing countries where it is more
prevalent. However, data on low birth weight in these countries is often limited due to home or small health
facility deliveries that go unreported. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of mothers and their very
low birth weight (VLBW) infants, who are at high risk for morbidity and mortality.
Methods: The study included hospitalized mothers and their VLBW neonates. Pre- and perinatal data, including
hospitalization complications, were collected from case files using a pre-designed questionnaire and analysed.
Results: The mean maternal age in the study group was 24.88 ± 2.92 years, with the majority falling between 21 and
25 years. Gestational hypertension, alone or in combination with other risk factors, was the most significant risk
factor (18.36%). The caesarean section (C-section) rate was 58.7%. Among the study group, 49.81% of mothers had
one or more risk factors, with gestational hypertension (18.3%), leaking (12.6%), eclampsia (1.3%), and gestational
diabetes mellitus (4.8%) being the most prevalent. Out of 7,288 neonates born in SMGS Hospital, 458 (4.3%) were
VLBW babies, with a mean gestational age of 32.19 ± 1.5 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1320 ± 0.21 grams. The
mortality rate among VLBW neonates was 5.8%. The most common neonatal outcomes were sepsis (21.8%) and
respiratory distress syndrome (15.9%). The need for mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy was 6.5% and
9.1%, respectively.
Conclusion: Delivering preterm VLBW babies from mothers with high-risk factors in hospitals equipped with
tertiary care neonatal intensive care units is crucial to improving their outcomes and survival. These findings
highlight the importance of appropriate healthcare facilities for this vulnerable population.