Correlation of Maternal Nutritional Status with Neonatal Anthropometric Measurements at Birth: A Prospective Observational Study

C Ashrita; Dodda Bhaskar; Vellanki Kumar

doi:10.51168/vg66je76

Authors

Dr. C. Ashrita Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Dr Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Chevella, Ranga Reddy, Telangana, India
Dr.Bhaskar Reddy Dodda Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India
Dr. Vellanki Brahma Kumar Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/vg66je76

Keywords:

Maternal nutrition, body mass index, mid- upper arm circumference, gestational weight gain, birth weight, neonatal anthropometry

Abstract

Background:

Maternal nutritional status influences placental function, fetal growth, and neonatal body size. Maternal body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), gestational weight gain, and haemoglobin provide practical indicators of nutritional adequacy during pregnancy.

Objectives:

To evaluate the correlation between maternal nutritional status and neonatal anthropometric measurements at birth and examine the association between maternal BMI and low birth weight.

Methods:

This hospital-based prospective observational analytical study included 300 mother–neonate pairs at Mamata Medical College and Mamata General Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India, from July 2025 to June 2026. Eligible women with singleton live births were recruited consecutively. Maternal BMI, MUAC, gestational weight gain, and haemoglobin were assessed, and neonatal birth weight, length, head circumference, and chest circumference were measured after birth. Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square test were used as appropriate.

Results:

Mean maternal BMI was 22.7 ± 4.1 kg/m², MUAC was 25.4 ± 3.2 cm, and gestational weight gain was 10.8 ± 3.6 kg. Mean neonatal birth weight was 2.91 ± 0.48 kg; 57 neonates (19.0%) had low birth weight. Birth weight increased from 2.60 ± 0.39 kg among underweight mothers to 3.28 ± 0.49 kg among obese mothers (p<0.001). Low birth weight occurred in 38.3% of neonates of underweight mothers compared with 16.4%, 11.1%, and 7.4% in the normal-BMI, overweight, and obese groups, respectively (p<0.001). Maternal BMI correlated with birth weight (r=0.43, p<0.001), gestational weight gain showed the strongest correlation (r=0.47, p<0.001), and MUAC correlated positively with birth weight, length, head circumference, and chest circumference (r=0.27–0.39; all p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Better maternal nutritional indices were associated with greater neonatal anthropometric measurements, whereas maternal underweight was associated with low birth weight.

Recommendations:

Routine antenatal assessment should integrate BMI, MUAC, gestational weight gain, and haemoglobin to identify women requiring nutritional intervention.

Author Biographies

Dr. C. Ashrita, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Dr Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Chevella, Ranga Reddy, Telangana, India

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Dr. Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Chevella, Ranga Reddy, Telangana, India. She is actively involved in undergraduate medical education, clinical pediatric care, and academic research. Her professional interests include general pediatrics, child health, preventive pediatrics, and evidence-based approaches to the management of childhood illnesses. She has a keen interest in clinical research aimed at improving pediatric healthcare outcomes and translating research findings into routine clinical practice.

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4345-8195
Dr.Bhaskar Reddy Dodda, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India

is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India. He is involved in pediatric clinical services, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and academic research. His areas of interest include general pediatrics, childhood diseases, pediatric clinical research, and evidence-based patient care. He has contributed to academic activities through teaching, clinical mentoring, research methodology, and scientific manuscript development. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0887-1017
Dr. Vellanki Brahma Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India

is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Mamata Medical College and Hospital, Khammam, Telangana, India. He is engaged in clinical pediatric practice, medical education, academic supervision, and research. His professional interests encompass general pediatrics, pediatric disease management, clinical research, and the application of evidence-based principles to child healthcare. He contributes to the training and mentoring of medical students and participates in research directed toward improving clinical outcomes in pediatric populations. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5527-5595

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