*3.13.1 Maternal BMI and average infant birth weight*

The association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and infant birth weight was clearly seen in the current study. The average weight in infant during birth is as shown in **Figure 21**. It is observed that highest birth weight is obtained in obese

**Figure 21.** *Maternal BMI and average infant birth weight.*

**Figure 22.** *Maternal BMI and average infant birth weight range.*

*Association of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain with Preterm… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96922*

women, which decreases as the maternal BMI range decreases. A partial positive correlation (r = 0.147) between pre-pregnancy BMI and infant birth weight.

#### *3.13.2 Maternal BMI and infant birth weight range*

An infant may have LBW, normal birth weight or HBW depending upon individual maternal gestational weight gain and other conditions. In our study, it was observed that in underweight women, 38.64% neonates are LBW, 2.27 with HBW and 59.09% with normal weight. In mothers with normal BMI, the infants born were 15.33%, 2.19% and 82.48% LBW, HBW and normal birth weight. In overweight women, 16.67% were LBW, 3.33% were normal birth weight and 80% were HBW infants. In obese population, 33.33%, 20% and 46.67% were LBW, normal birth weight and HBW infants respectively. A partial positive correlation (r = 0.16) is observed between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and infant birth weight range (**Figure 22**).
