Feasible Strategies for Combating Low Birth Weight and Intra-uterine Growth Retardation

It has been estimated that nearly a third of babies born in government-run hospitals in India (which generally cater to the poorer segments of the population) are of low birth weight (< 2.5 kg). Low birth weights generally indicate intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR). They are also indicative of poor antenatal care and poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy and are vulnerable to still births, pre-term deliveries and stunting in childhood. Recent studies have also shown a positive link between LBW and increased risk of chronic degenerative diseases such as Coronary heart Disease, Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus.

Essential fatty acids, especially n-3 fatty acid supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy has been claimed to prolong pregnancy with added beneficial effects on the growth and development of the fetus and on the course of labour. Therefore, the present study was designed to observe the effect of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on duration of gestation among women of poor communities, study the effect of such supplementation on reducing the incidence of low birth weight deliveries and follow up of these babies to study their developmental milestones.

In the present study, the samples comprised of three groups of pregnant women (N=900) belonging to the poor communities carried out at the two Maternal and Child Development centres situated in New Delhi, namely Defence Colony Maternity Home and Kamala Nehru Maternity Home.

Objectives of the Study
The study broadly aims at:

  • Observing the efficacy of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on duration of gestation among pregnant women.
  • To study the efficacy of soya oil as n-3 fatty acid supplements.
  • To study the effect of supplementation, on reducing the incidence of low birth weight deliveries.
  • Follow up these babies to study their developmental milestones.