Some medico-socio-demographic factors and intra-uterine growth retardation.

In the present prospective pilot study an attempt has been made to find out the correlation between some maternopaternal factors (demographic, socio-economic and medical) that suggest a high risk for intra-uterine growth retardation. The mean height and booking weight of women in study group were significantly less than the height and weight of women in control group (p < 0.001 for both). The mean paternal height and weight were also significantly less in the study group as against controls (p < 0.05 for and p < 0.01 respectively). In the study group 54.54% of women consumed less than 1500 calories/day as compared to 32.72% in the controls (statistically significant difference, (p < 0.01). The mean haemoglobin was significantly lower in the study cases (8.1 g/dl) as compared to controls (9.6 g/dl) (p < 0.001). The mean platelet count in study cases (1.64 +/- 0.34 lac/cmm) was significantly lower than that in the controls (2.08 +/- 0.25 lac/cmm) (p < 0.001). The rate of instrumental vaginal delivery, emergency caesarean section for foetal distress, incidence of intrapartum foetal distress, and number of babies with low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly more in the study group (p < .05 and p < 0.001 respectively for operative delivery and Apgar scores).