Abstract

Foetal outcome, as reported by many researchers across the globe, is affected by many factors of which maternal anthropometric parameters (maternal weight, height and body mass index) are inclusive. The present study was aimed at establishing the significance of the impact of maternal body mass index on neonatal outcome of neonates in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. A total of 125 subjects were employed in the study. The informations and specific datas of each subject were obtained using a well structured proforma. The datas were tabulated using simple frequency table and presented graphically using bar chart. The degree of significance was determined using Chi-square test of significance. The result obtained showed that the overall mean neonatal birth weight was 3.7±4.15 kg. The mean neonatal birth weight, as recorded in the present study was within the acceptable range while the maternal body mass index was high as compared to the normal range (20-24.9kg/m2). The neonatal birth weight was significantly dependent on the gender of the neonates (p<0.05) but maternal BMI insignificantly (p>0.05) contributes to the birth weight of neonates in the current study. Future researchers are encouraged to consider other effective factors besides maternal BMI such as both parental anthropometry and placental ratio in future studies.