Pandemic's Toll: Sharp Increase in Low Birth Weight Babies in India

A new study reveals a significant rise in low birth weight babies in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, posing long-term challenges for 'human capital'. Researchers found that such infants are more likely to struggle in school and face economic disadvantages. Multiple pandemic-related factors contributed to this increase.

A new study has highlighted a concerning trend during the COVID-19 pandemic—a sharp increase in the number of low birth weight babies in India, rising by about three per cent. This escalation poses significant long-term challenges for the development of 'human capital,' crucial for the country's future workforce.

The study reveals that infants born during the pandemic face double the risk of low birth weight compared to pre-pandemic times. Corresponding author Santosh Kumar, an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, emphasized that these infants are likely to struggle academically, affecting their capacity to acquire essential knowledge and skills.

Conducted between April 2020 and April 2021, the research analyzed over two lakh infants, with data drawn from the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). Factors such as the COVID-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus, social distancing stress, economic upheaval, and disrupted maternal and neonatal care may have contributed to this alarming trend.

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