Secular trend in birthweight in an industrial hospital in India.

Measurement of birthweight is an indicator of community health. The mean birthweight (MBW) of babies born in 1963, 1983 and 1986 were measured in 2254, 3550 and 3368 babies, respectively. Mean (SD) birthweight was found to be 2652 (553) g in 1963, 2724 (502) g in 1983 and 2726 (478) g in 1986. There was a rise in MBW (72 g) between 1963 and 1983 and a reduction in the percentage incidence of low birthweight from 34.29% to 26.06%. A change in birthweight distribution (was also seen, except in extreme weight groups. The improvement in birthweight is statistically significant (p less than 0.001). A trend for increase has been noticed in birthweights, and the mean birthweight values are the same as the national average.