Maternal Risk Factors affecting Low Birth Weight babies: A case control study from tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Southern India

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight which is below 2.5 kg is a major factor affecting the infant survival, health and development. Low birth weight infants are at a greater risk of having a disability and for diseases such as cerebral palsy, visual problems, learning disabilities and respiratory problems. To reduce the low birth weight deliveries, we studied the maternal factors which adversely affect the fetus in utero and their impact on fetus. Aim and objectives: 1) To study the maternal risk factors affecting the low birth weight babies. 2) To compare the incidence of low birth weight babies in a rural medical college population. Methodology: A prospective case control study was carried out on low birth weight pregnancies deliveries during a one year period in a tertiary care hospital.  Maternal factors like age, parity, pre pregnancy weight, height, bad obstetric history, sex of the child, birth interval, literacy, income, maternal diseases, and family structure were compared with same number of controls. Cases of multiple pregnancies and stillbirths were excluded. Result : Frequency of low birth weight babies had significant association with mother’s weight and age, primi, birth interval, bad obstetric history, percapita income and illiteracy. Factors which failed to show a significant relation with low birth weight were mother’s height, sex of child, number of antenatal visits, family structure and maternal diseases complicating pregnancy. Conclusion: To reduce the incidence of low birth weight babies action is called for not only in obstetrical field but also in the wider sphere of maternal welfare.