Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Fetal malnutrition (FM) is a clinical state, characterized by intrauterine loss of or failure, to acquire normal amount of fat and muscle mass. Various terminologies used for describing intra uterine malnutrition includes small for gestational age (SGA), intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and placental insufficiency. It is important to recognize FM in newborn babies because of the high incidence of neonatal morbidity and long‐term sequelae. Present study was a cross sectional, observational and analytical study, conducted in post‐natal ward and NICU of department of Pediatrics of Peoples College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal during one and half year (1st December, 2018 to 31st may, 2020) of study period. Aim of study ‘’Study of fetal malnutrition‐ its etiology, early assessment in developing country’’. Mean value of all anthropometric parameters i.e. birth weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference and mid arm circumference was significantly lower in those with FM as compared to those without FM (p<0.001). All full term (37‐ 42 weeks of gestational age) newborns delivered at People’s Hospital, Bhopal during the study period were included in the study. All babies were examined thoroughly as per pre‐defined proforma (Annexure‐II). GESTATIONAL AGE (GA) was assessed by using Modified Ballard scoring system within first 24‐48 hours of life; babies who were found to be full term i.e., 37‐42 weeks by Ballard scoring system were enrolled in the study. Written consent (Annexure‐III) was taken from parents before enrolling the babies in the study. The mean value of weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, MAC, MAC/HC, PI, BMI and CAN Score in subjects included in present study was 2774.25 g, 47.54 cm, 33.25 cm, 30.95 cm, 9.51 cm, 0.28, 2.56 g cmG3, 12.20 kg m-2 and 26.94, respectively. Male to female ratio was 1.12: 1. Fetal malnutrition was found in 18.5% babies as assessed by the CAN score of <25. Weight for GA (p<0.001), MAC/HC (p<0.001), PI (p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001) and length for GA (p<0.001) all were found to have significant association in predicting the fetal malnutrition when CAN score of <25 was taken as the cut off value. Mean value of all anthropometric parameters i.e. birth weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference and mid arm circumference was significantly lower in those with FM as compared to those without FM (p<0.001). Maternal risk factors such as PIH, aneamia, maternal infection and poor socioeconomic status have significant association with FM, whereas birth spacing (year), BMI of mother and hypothyroidism were not significantly associated with the presence of FM. The area under the curve (AUC) for the birth weight (0.891), MAC (0.855), BMI (0.837), PI (0.761), length (0.749) and MUAC/HC (0.714) with p‐value of <0.001 was observed. AUC was highest for birth weight followed by MAC and BMI. This highlight that all these three parameters have good sensitivity and specificity for identifying FM (p<0.001).
How to cite this article:
Ankit Yadav, Mohd Asad Khan, Brijesh Kumar Patel and Amit Kumar Singh. Study of Fetal Malnutrition: Its Etiology, Early Assessment in Developing Country.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2023.334.347
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2023.334.347