Low birth weight (LBW) is a termed used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 2500gms. Folic acid is an essential nutrient for cell replication and gene expression in fetus. Hence the present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of utilization of folic acid during pregnancy on the birth weight of the newborn baby. Study design: Data about utilization of folic acid during pregnancy along with birth weight of new born babies was recorded on a structured questionnaire. In order to test for association between two variables, a chi-square test was applied using SPSS software. Results: 26.8% new born babies were found to have LBW. 60.2% women reported having not taken folic acid during pregnancy and of these 30.1% delivered LBW babies. Of the 26.8% LBW babies delivered, 67.6% were born to women not taking folic acid as against 32.4% born to women utilizing folic acid during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women are at a risk of folate deficiency because pregnancy significantly increases the folate requirement especially during the period of rapid foetal growth Hence periconceptional use of folic acid containing supplements reduces the incidence of LBW babies.
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