Use of anthropometric indicators for predicting risk of delivering low birth weight babies

The birth weight of newborns is an important factor that affects the future survival and quality of life1. The importance of predicting the risk of delivering low birth weight (LBW) babies during pregnancy arises from the consistent relationship found between LBW and higher risk of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and suboptimal growth and development2. In Bangladesh, incidence of LBW is unacceptably high3. To reduce the incidence of LBW in the country, a search for indicators of high risks of delivering LBW baby should be an important part of the antenatal care. From different studies, it is consistently observed that maternal anthropometric indicators are the established risk indicators for delivering LBW babies4. Early prediction of LBW babies from maternal anthropometric indicators will help policy makers, planners, program managers and service providers adopt appropriate intervention strategy for its (LBW) reduction. Thus, the objectives of the present study is to: (i) identify the most suitable anthropometric indicator(s) of risk of delivering LBW babies and (ii) select appropriate cut off point of the indicator(s).