Incidence of Low Birth Weight Babies on the Rise in India

A new survey carried out by leading weight loss company, VLCC has expressed concerns over the rising instances of babies with low birth weight of less than 2.5 kgs in India.

Nearly 20 percent of all the babies born in India have a birth weight of less than 2.5 kgs compared with the normal birth weight of 3 kgs. This is more prevalent among urban mothers with 24 percent of babies born in urban areas have a low birth rate compared to 14.7 percent in rural areas.

Lead researcher Veena Aggarwal said that one of the major reasons for low birth weight is the life style of would be mothers, especially in the first trimester. With expectant mothers eating less than necessary, the right amount of nutrition fails to reach the baby in the initial stages.

The best way to overcome this loss of nutrition is by eating malted food such as ragi, wheat flour or soya, Aggarwal suggested. The would-be mothers should also increase their protein intake in the second trimester while staying away from alcohol or cigarettes and trying to avoid getting stress.

"The size of the placenta often becomes small if the mother is stressed and nutrition doesn't reach the baby properly. There is no better way to beat stress than exercise. Babies of mothers who exercise are born with healthier weights", Aggarwal added.


Source: Medindia