Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve estimation of low birth weight based on maternal early third trimester weight among Bengalee women of Kolkata, India.

The cross-sectional hospital based study was undertaken to provide an efficient and useful cut off point of maternal early third trimester weight, for low birth weight (LBW), based on receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve among Bengalee mothers of Kolkata, India. A total of 233 mother-baby pairs were included in the present analysis. The means for maternal age and weight were 23.44 (SD = 3.88) years and 49.45 (7.19) kg, respectively. Means for gestational age and birth weight were 38.97 (1.12) week and 2664 (324) gm, respectively. The ROC curve analysis showed maternal weight < 48.0 kg as the best cutoff point of LBW. Data showed maternal weight < or = 48.0 kg had significantly higher OR (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.56-5.51) for delivering LBW baby. In conclusion, the cut-off point of maternal early third trimester weight < or = 48.0 kg could be used for nutritional intervention programs in order to combat LBW among this population.