PREGNANT WOMEN WITH LOW BMI (<19)

Introduction: A strong relationship between maternal weight and birth weight has been demonstrated consistently and low maternal weight is considered as a preventable risk factor for low birth weight.Objectives: To determine the frequency of preterm labour and fetal outcome in terms of low birth weight in pregnant women with low body mass index < 19. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting:Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, a tertiary care hospital. Duration of study: Six months from 01-05-2009 to 01-11-2009. Subjects and methods: Total 114 pregnant women at 16 weeks of gestational age with singleton pregnancy reporting to obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Combined Military Hospital, Quetta were selected. Results: Mean age was observed 27.6±3.9 year. Out of total 114 patients, 15 (13.1%) belonged to <37 weeks of gestation while 99 (86.9%) patients had >37 weeks gestation. Mean gestational age observed 38.5±4.1. Out of 15 preterm deliveries, 10 (66.7%) had uterine contractions >4/10 min 5 and (33.3%) patients had Cervical dilatation >2cm. Out of 114 patients, 12 (10.5%) cases had fetal weight <2.5 kg and while remaining 102 cases (89.5%)had fetal weight 2.5-4 Kg. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that low BMI is associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight babies.