Predictors of Low Birth Weight: A Study in a Health and Demographic Cohort from Assam, India

Low birth weight is associated with morbidities and mortality in the later life. Prevalence of anemia and under nutrition in Assam were reported to be high which may correlate with low birth weight of infants. The present study assessed prevalence and risk factors for low birth weight in a health and demographic cohort established in Dibrugarh district, Assam. A total of 1437 deliveries (580 from rural and 857 from tea garden) were recorded during March 2019 to February 2020. Prevalence of low birth weight was 30.34%. Tea-garden community [OR: 1.4 (1.06–1.79)], low levels of maternal education [OR: 1.57(1.12–2.13)], low monthly income [OR: 2.1 (1.1–3.9)], pre-term birth [OR: 4.1 (2.2–7.9)] and mother with low BMI [OR: 1.6 (1.3–2.07)] were found to be significantly associated with low birth weight. Intervention strategies to improve socioeconomic condition, promote antenatal checkup and alleviate under nutrition in pregnant mothers are warranted to reduce low birth weight.