Comparison of risk factors for low birth weight among mothers with normal and low birth weight babies

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is an alarming problem in developing countries and has severe future complications. Aim of the study: Our study aimed to compare the risk factors among mothers with low and normal birth weight babies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1000 mothers with normal and low birth weight babies (500 per group) over two years. Maternal parameters including age, hemoglobin levels, gravida, maternal weight gain, height, pregnancy-induced hypertension, etc., were collected along with anthropometric data of the child. We compared risk factors among the low and normal birth weight babies using the chi-square test, determining statistical significance at p<0.05, and high statistical significance at p<0.01. Results: Highly statistically significant associations were observed between low birth weight and seven variables: maternal age (p=0.0074), maternal height (p<0.0001), weight (p<0.0001), weight gain (p<0.0001), hemoglobin (p<0.0001), severe anemia (p<0.0001), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Our study observed significant modifiable risk factors like weight gain, weight, hemoglobin, and anemia among mothers with low birth weight babies. If we focus on raising awareness surrounding these risk factors, there may be an improvement in the birth weight of babies in this population.