Publication

Abstract :

Aims and Objectives: The aim of present study to find out the effects of maternal social status on birth outcome in western Rajasthan, India.

Methods: Present observational study was carried out on 1019 mothers and their newborn. Mothers were divided according to social status in three group upper, middle and lower according to Revised Kuppuswamy socioeconomic status scale (2021). Birth outcome included the weight, length, head, mid arm, chest, thigh, calf circumferences and skin fold thickness of neonates.

Results: Percentage of low birth weight, very low birth weight, congenital anomalies were highest in newborns of middle social status mothers and lowest in upper social class mothers. Maternal social status had highly significant (p<0.01) effects on birth weight, mid arm, chest, and calf circumferences, and significant (p<0.05) effects on length of neonates.

Conclusion: Socio economic status and augmentation are the key components of good pregnancy outcome and thus there is an urgent need to provide special nutritional inputs and better monitoring facilities during pregnancy to such under nourished mothers. Thus, these types of studies were needed furthered, for improving the maternal and neonatal health.