Seasonal trends and maternal characteristics as predictors of maternal undernutrition and low birthweight in Eastern Maharashtra, India

Bibliographic Data

ID15535472
AuthorsLindsey M Locks (0000-0002-0019-9545, Boston University, corresponding author), Archana Patel (0000-0002-2558-7421, Lata Medical Research Foundation), Elizabeth C Katz (0000-0001-9539-082X, Boston University), Elizabeth Simmons (0000-0003-0780-467X, Boston University), Patricia L Hibberd (0000-0002-7455-8117, Boston University)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue2
Pagese13087-e13087
Publication date2020-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13087
PMID33006259
OpenAlexW3091519877
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited13

Few studies have assessed whether women and infants in rural and peri-urban communities in South Asia experience seasonal fluctuations in nutritional status; however, a handful of studies have documented seasonal variability in risk factors for undernutrition including food availability, physical activity and infections. We used data from the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) registry, a population-based pregnancy and birth registry in Eastern Maharashtra, India, to analyse seasonal trends in birthweight and maternal nutritional status-body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin-in the first trimester of pregnancy. We plotted monthly and seasonal trends in birthweight, and maternal BMI and haemoglobin, and used multivariable regression models to identify seasonal and maternal characteristics that predicted each outcome. Between October 2014 and January 2018, MNH included 29,253 livebirths with recorded birthweight. BMI was assessed in 15,252 women less than 12 weeks of gestation and haemoglobin in 18,278 women less than 13 weeks of gestation. Maternal characteristics (age, education, parity and height) were significantly associated with nutritional status; however, there were minimal seasonal fluctuations in birthweight or maternal nutrition. There were significant secular trends in maternal haemoglobin; between 2014 and 2018, the prevalence of maternal anaemia decreased from 91% to 79% and moderate or severe anaemia from 53% to 37%. The prevalence of maternal underweight (45.3%) and overweight (9.8%) and low birthweight (19.1%) remained relatively constant over the study period. Our findings highlight that in some rural and peri-urban areas in South Asia, tackling systemic drivers of malnutrition may be more effective than targeted interventions based on season

Body mass index · Environmental health · Malnutrition · Obstetrics · Overweight · Population · Pregnancy · Underweight · Birth, Development, and Health · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Pediatrics

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