High Altitude: An Independent Factor Causing Decline in Birth Weight

Introduction: At high altitude, reduced uteroplacental blood flow is likely to be responsible for hypoxia-induced decline in birth weight. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether high altitude is an independent factor causing decline in birth weight. Materials and Methods: Maternal and infant characteristics were obtained from high altitude (Nainital, Uttarakhand) and low altitude (plain - Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh) regions from February 2014 to April 2014. Finally, comparison was made between each 50 patients of high and low altitude. Results: The results of the present study suggest that birth weight declines at high altitude in comparison to low altitude. Percentage of low birth weight at high altitude was 56% whereas at low attitude, it was 20%.