Birth weight of Indian babies born in hospitals

Birth weight at Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh

The data on birth weight of 524 (male--287, female--237) live born singleton babies of Changlang have been subjected to analysis in relation to sex, mean birth weight and low birth weight (LBW). For the purpose of comparison, the present data were sub-divided into three categories--Tangsa Tribe (T.T.), Tribes excluding Tangsa (T) and other groups (O.G.). Tribal babies of Changlang are found to be heavier than babies of other groups. It has also been observed that occurrence of LBW among tribal babies of Changlang is less than that of the babies of other groups of Changlang and it is much less than that of Bengali babies of Calcutta and Marathi babies of Pune District. It is apparent that tribal babies of Changlang are more healthier than caste babies of N.E. India.

Low birthweight: aetiology and prevention in India

Low weight at birth continues to remain a major public health problem in India in contrast to what is observed in most developed and many developing countries of the world (Table I) (1). This raises several issues relating to the persistently high infant mortality and the difficulties in providing adequate care for these "at risk" infants because of the vastness of the country and its marked geographic, cultural, religious and socio-economic variations. Despite these numerous unresolved problems, those concerned with delivery of health care are faced with the stupendous task of achieving a reduction in low birthweight rate from the present estimated 30% to 10% by 2000 A.D. The present communication deals with an overall view of the problem of low birthweight (LBW) in India and suggests possible areas of action for its prevention.