title: The association between birthweight, sociodemographic variables and maternal anthropometry in an urban sample from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
abstract: The relationship between birthweight, sociodemographic variables and maternal anthropometry was examined in a sample from an inner urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. About 21% of babies were of low birthweight (LBW) using the World Health Organization cut-off of < 2500 g. LBW was more common in younger (< 20 years) and older (> 30 years) mothers, the low-income group and those with little or no education. The mean birthweights of the higher-educated, higher-income group and male children were on average 290, 260 and 120 g, respectively, higher than uneducated, lower-income groups and female children. The best cut-offs for detecting LBW and normal-weight infants was maternal weight of 50 kg (odds ratio = 4.6), maternal arm circumference of 23 cm (odds ratio = 5.0) and body mass index of 20.5 (odds ratio = 6.5). The sensitivity and specificity were best for maternal weight (69% and 68%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses show that mothers' weight at term was the best single predictor of LBW (31%), while maternal weight along with age, educational level and income group correctly predicted just over 35% of LBW. Regression analyses also confirmed that mothers' weight at term was the best predictor of birthweight, with a correlation coefficient of 0.49.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mascie-Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001459:Bangladesh; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014504:Urban Health