Birth weight is one of the simplest measurements that can be made with reasonable accuracy under different conditions. It is a reliable indicator of foetal well- being and maturity. In the present study, the average birth weight in Marathwada region, the incidence of low birth weight, the foeto-placental ratio in normal and in low birth weight cases was studied in 296 newborns and placentae. It was observed that the foeto-placental ratio in low birth weight cases is statistically significantly low (6.72) as compared with the normal (7.08). The significantly low foeto placental ratio in low birth weight cases indicates that though there is decrease in both birth weight and placental weight, the decrease in birth weight is more as compared with the decrease in placental weight.

Key words: Low birthweight; Foeto-placental ratio; Marathwada region.