The Association Between Low Birth Weight and Postpartum Depression: A Cross-sectional Multisite Study Among Women Within Six Months Postpartum

Written by Sangita Pudasainee-Kapri, Tumla Shrestha, Mary Wunnenberg, Kul Kapri, Ram Hari Chapagain, & Manisha Chapagai

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2025.1501.1504

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a neglected public health concern in lower-middle-income countries, as there are no established routine screening practices or treatment protocols in Nepal. Infant birth weight may contribute to PPD among women.
Although evidence is clear regarding the higher prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) in Nepal, there are no studies to date that have examined whether LBW may contribute to PPD among women in Nepal.

Objective: This quantitative study aimed to examine the association between LBW and PPD among Nepali women between one to six months postpartum.

Methods: This cross-sectional multisite study used convenience sampling to enroll 128 mothers of LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) infants from immunization clinics at two tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with participants on birth weight, sociodemographic and perinatal characteristics, and administration of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Multiple regression and negative binomial regression models were conducted in STATA to test the hypothesis.

Results: Findings indicated that LBW is significantly and positively associated with PPD within one to six months postpartum after controlling for a range of control variables. The findings of this study support that LBW is a significant predictor of PPD among women during critical periods of infant development.

Conclusion: The findings highlight significant policy and practice implications for routine screening and early identification of women at risk for PPD and evidence-based treatment protocols.

Keywords: Childbirth, low birthweight, postpartum depression, preterm birth, screening, women