Correlation of Maternal BMI and Neonatal BMI with Placental Weight in Rural South Kerala-India

Abstract

Introduction: Birth weight and placental weight are good indicators of new born growth parameters. Maternal complications are seen in both lean and obese women. The available studies shows correlations of placental parameters with baby anthropometric variables but limited relationship to maternal BMI which will help very much to anticipate the neonatal outcome and complications. Aim: To find out correlation of maternal BMI and neonatal BMI with placental weight in rural South Kerala. Study Design: Prospective cohort study in a rural medical college in South Kerala. Materials and Methods: All singleton neonates 28 weeks of gestational age and above delivered in the institution and their mothers from January 2015 to October 2015. Neonatal BMI, Maternal BMI and placental weight were calculated. Means (x), standard deviation (SD) and frequency (%) was calculated for the statistical analysis. Student’s ‘t’ test was used to compare the mean results of the continuous variables. Pearson correlation was used to find out the correlation between different anthropometric variables. Results: Out of the 920 live single births 463 (50.3%) were male and 457(49.7%) were females. Among the mothers (86.2%) were between the age group of 25-29 years, about 87.7% of the mothers were unemployed. Mean birth weight was 3000gm (SD=500) Mean baby length was 48.9 (SD=2). The mean placental weight was 499gm (SD=78). Mean maternal BMI was 27 (SD 3.9) and the mean neonatal BMI was 12.5 (SD=1.9). It was found that both maternal BMI (r=0.143 p<0.05) and neonatal BMI (r=0.350; p<0.05) has a positive correlation with placental weight. Conclusion: The placental weight correlates with maternal and neonatal BMI. Hence, the maternal BMI and placental weight can predict the neonatal outcome and postnatal complications. By serial sonological measurement of placental weight and combining it with maternal BMI it is possible to predict neonatal mortality and morbidity more accurately

Keywords

• neonatal anthropometry
• neonatal mortality
• placental parameters