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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

BIRTH WEIGHT, NUTRITIONAL STATUS & INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING

Contributors : Azli Baharudin, Rusidah Selamat, Mohamad Hasnan Ahmad, Rashadiba Ibrahim, Junidah Raub,
Jamilah Ahmad, Chin Yit Siew, Rashidah Ambak, Nor Azian Mohd Zaki, Nur Shahida Abdul Aziz, Fatimah Othman,
Ruhaya Salleh, Madihah Ahmad Puaad, Cheong Siew Man, Syafinaz Mohd Sallehuddin, Norazizah Ibrahim Wong,
Tahir Aris

5.1. BIRTH WEIGHT

5.1.1. Introduction

Birth weight is an important indicator of reproductive health and general health status of the
population. Low birth weight (LBW) has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as
1
weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams. A baby’s low weight at birth is either the result of a pre-term
birth (before 37 weeks of gestation) or of restricted foetal (intrauterine) growth. LBW is closely
associated with foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive
development and development of chronic diseases later in life. In Malaysia, the LBW data has only
been reported as total number of infants regardless of the infants’ gestational age. Therefore, this
survey was conducted to fill the gap on LBW data reported in the country.

5.1.2. Findings

Mean birth weight by sociodemographic characteristics

The overall mean birth weight for children below five years of age was 3.02 kg (95% CI: 3.01-3.04).
Mean birth weight was significantly higher among males [3.05 kg (95% CI: 3.02-3.07)] than females
[2.99 kg (95% CI: 2.97- 3.02)]. Full term infants mean birth weight was significantly higher [3.07 kg
(95% CI: 3.05-3.08)] than pre-term infants [2.39 kg (95% CI: 2.32-2.47)]. Based on birth weight
classification, mean birth weight among extremely low birth weight infants (<1000g) was significantly
lower in full term infants [0.64 kg (95% CI: 0.64-0.64)] than pre term infant [0.8 kg (95% CI: 0.72-0.88)].
Mean birth weight among very low weight (1000g -<1500g) in full term infants was 1.29 kg (95% CI:
1.20-1.39) and in pre-term infants was 1.33 kg (95% CI: 1.24-1.42)].

In comparison between ethnic groups, the highest mean body weight was among Malays and
Chinese [3.04 kg (95% CI: 3.02-3.06), [3.04 kg (95% CI: 2.99-3.08)] respectively while the lowest
prevalence was among Other Bumiputeras [2.94 kg (95% CI: 2.90-2.98)]. Based on household
income, those with monthly income of RM5000 and above reported the highest mean birth weight of
3.06 kg (95% CI: 3.03-3.09), while the lowest mean birth weight came from those with income less
than RM1000 per month [2.93 (95% CI: 2.89-2.98)] (Table 5.1.2.1).

Birth weight status by sociodemographic characteristics

The overall prevalence of LBW (<2500g) among infants were 9.7% (95% CI: 8.79-10.63) while for
normal birth weight (>2500g), the prevalence was 90.3% (95% CI: 89.37-91.21). The prevalence for
LBW infants was highest in Sarawak [16.2% (95% CI: 12.31-21.02)] and lowest in Johor [5.7% (95%
CI: 4.15-7.89)]. Females [10.3% (95% CI: 8.95-11.78)] had a higher prevalence of LBW than males
[9.1% (95% CI: 7.99-10.36)]. The prevalence of LBW was significantly higher among pre-term infants
[55.5% (95% CI: 48.82-62.02)] than full term infants [6.4% (95% CI: 5.64-7.15)]. In terms of ethnicity,
Other Bumiputera had the highest prevalence of LBW [15.1% (95% CI: 12.48-18.24)] while the lowest
prevalence was amongst the Chinese [6.8% (95% CI: 4.93-9.41)].

1. United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization, Low Birthweight: Country, regional and global estimates. UNICEF, New York, 2004.