Maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight.

Abstract

To determine the association of socio-demographic, maternal, medical and obstetric risk factors with low birth weight. A case-control study. This study was carried out in the department of Neonatology, Children Hospital and Mother & Child Health Care Centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad during August-September 2001. One hundred and ninety consecutive low birth weight ( <2.5 kg) live born babies were enrolled cases against 760 consecutive normal birth weight ( >2.5 kg) babies as controls. Informations regarding maternal, biosocial, medical and obstetric complications during pregnancy were recorded on a pre-tested proforma. Data analysis was done through logistic regression model in SPSS10 and results were interpreted in terms of odds ratio and p-values. The mean weight of cases was 2.08 kg as compared to 3.1 in controls. Forty-six percent of cases were preterm. The factors like maternal malnutrition, young age of the mothers, poverty, close birth spacing, hypertension and antenatal per vaginum (p/v) bleeding during pregnancy have independent effect in causing low birth weight (LBW). Maternal biosocial, medical and obstetric factors have strong association with LBW. To overcome this problem, special attention is required to strengthen the mother and child health care services in the community.