Birth Weight and Placental Weight Correlation of Fulani Ethnic Group Parturients in Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: We aim to establish the relationship of birth weight to the placental weight of Fulani ethnic community which is an important population politically and economically not only in Nigeria but to West Africa in general. Study Design: This was a prospective study on Fulani ethnic group parturients living in Kano State of Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, Nigeria, from November 2007 to September 2008. Methodology: The study involved 390 healthy placentas (delivered at term) of Fulani ethnic group parturient in Nigeria. Each placenta was cleansed of blood clots and trimmed of umbilical cord near its attachment and its weight determined using the triple beam balance. The weight of new born was determined using Birth weight weighing Balance. The data were recorded and analyzed using Minitab 16 software and Pearson’ Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the weights. Regression equation was also developed. Results: The mean birth weight was 2867.4 g (SD: 447.7 g), and for the placental weight, the mean found to be 477.6 g (SD: 74.8 g). The results showed a statistically significant correlation between the placenta and the birth weight using the Pearson correlation (r = 0.963, P < 0.001). Birth weight-Placenta ratio was 6.0 (SD: 0.3). The scatterplot (birth weight vs. placenta) shows the linear relationship of birth weight to placental weight (Fig. 1). Conclusion: The birth weight of Fulani ethnic group parturients correlates positively with the placental weight (P < 0.001) and this is in keeping with what was reported in the literature.