Anthropometric surrogates to identify low birth weight Nepalese newborns: a hospital-based study

Background In Nepal, more than 90% of the deliveries take place at home where birth weight is often not recorded. In developing countries, low birth weight (LBW, <2500 grams) accounts for 60–80% of neonatal deaths. Early identification and referral of LBW babies for extra essential newborn care is vital in preventing neonatal deaths. Studies carried out in different populations have suggested that the use of newborn anthropometric surrogates of birth weight may be a simple and reliable method to identify LBW babies in a home setting. However, a reliable anthropometric surrogate to identify LBW babies and its cut-off point is not known for Nepalese newborns.