Fatores maternos para o nascimento de recém-nascidos com baixo peso e prematuros: estudo caso-controle

Abstract

Objective: To identify maternal factors most associated with the birth of low weight and premature infants. Materials and Methods: Case-control study with 111 mothers who sought care at a public hospital in Feira de Santana (BA). The case group consisted of mothers of newborns with low birth weight (<2500g) and <37 weeks; and the control group of mothers of newborns with normal weight (≥2500g) and term. Birth weight and gestational age were obtained from hospital records. The main risk factors for low birth weight and prematurity were assessed by bivariate analysis and by calculating the odds ratio (OR). Results: 18.9% of mothers had preterm deliveries and, in 38.1% of cases, delivered before 34 weeks. Most of these women were aged between 14 and 25 years (66.7%), black or mulatto (85.7%), had a partner (81.0%), vaginal delivery (57.0%) and visited dentist during pregnancy (95.2%). There was a statistically significant association between low birth weight/premature delivery and consumption of alcoholic beverages (OR: 7.9; p=0.001), number of antenatal visits less than 6 (OR: 2.94; p=0.02) and the use of abortive medication (OR: 5.05; p=0.04). Conclusion: The findings showed that women who consumed alcohol, had fewer than six prenatal consultations and used abortive medication, had a greater chance of delivering a baby with low birth weight and premature. Thus, these risk factors deserve special attention in public policies to face this disease.