Maharashtra Among Top States With Highest Number of Low Birth Weight Babies Despite Economic Growth

Nearly 4 Lakh Cases Reported Annually; Experts Cite Poor Public Health Investment and Maternal Nutrition as Key Factors

Mumbai: Maharashtra, India’s economic powerhouse, is facing a troubling public health paradox. Despite its financial progress, the state ranks among the top contributors to the country’s high number of low birth weight (LBW) babies, trailing only behind Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

A recent review article published in BMJ Global Health — a peer-reviewed, indexed medical journal — has raised an alarm on this silent health crisis. The study analyzed data spanning nearly three decades (1993 to 2021), based on five rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). It revealed that while India has seen a decline in the overall percentage of low birth weight babies from 26% to 18%, some states continue to lag behind significantly.

Low Birth Weight: A National Health Concern

According to the NFHS 2019–21 data, India reported over 4.2 million low birth weight babies in just one year. Shockingly, four states alone — Uttar Pradesh (8.58 lakh), Bihar (4.3 lakh), Maharashtra (3.99 lakh), and West Bengal (3.18 lakh) — accounted for nearly 47% of these births.

Low birth weight (defined as babies born weighing less than 2.5 kg) is a critical indicator of maternal and neonatal health. Neonatologist Dr. Nandkishor Kabra from Surya Children’s Hospital in Santacruz explained, “A baby may be born underweight due to premature delivery or due to maternal health issues such as malnutrition, anemia, hypertension, or infections. These children are at a significantly higher risk of developing long-term cognitive issues, poor immunity, and chronic diseases.”

Economic Prosperity, Yet Health Lag: Why Maharashtra Is Struggling

Maharashtra’s inclusion in the list of lagging states is particularly concerning, given its economic strength and urban health infrastructure. Health experts believe the root of the problem lies in inadequate investment in public healthcare and maternal welfare programs.

Renowned health economist Dr. Ravi Duggal has repeatedly highlighted India’s low per capita health expenditure. “India spends around ₹1,448 per person on healthcare annually — among the lowest in the world. Maharashtra, surprisingly, fares only slightly better than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with a meagre per capita allocation of ₹975,” said Dr. Duggal.

In contrast, northeastern states like Sikkim (₹5,575) and Arunachal Pradesh (₹6,706) have far better public health investment, which reflects in their relatively improved maternal and child health metrics.

The Need for Policy Intervention

Experts are calling for urgent and targeted policy measures. The authors of the BMJ study — including S.V. Subramanian from the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies — have stressed the importance of addressing the “deep-rooted maternal and neonatal health disparities.”

Public health specialists are urging the Maharashtra government to:

• Improve access to antenatal care in both urban slums and rural pockets.
• Launch aggressive nutritional programs for expectant mothers and adolescent girls.
• Increase budget allocations specifically for maternal and child health.
• Train frontline health workers for early detection of high-risk pregnancies.

A Wake-Up Call for Maharashtra

This health indicator is more than just a statistic; it’s a reflection of how inclusive and equitable a state’s development really is. Maharashtra’s high burden of low birth weight babies, despite its status as a financial hub, should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and the public alike.

It’s not just about GDP numbers or industrial growth anymore — true progress must include healthy mothers and children.