Low Birth Weight Factors Research Articles

Associated Factors with Low Birth Weight in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a serious public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, 20 million, an estimated 15% to 20% of babies were born with LBW, and, of these, 13% were in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the World Health Assembly targeted to reduce LBW by 30% by the end of 2025, little has been done on and known about LBW. To meet the goal successfully and efficiently, more research studies on the problem are vital. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of LBW in Dire Dawa city, eastern Ethiopia. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and the associated factors of low birth weight in Dire Dawa City, eastern Ethiopia, 2017. Method A cross-sectional study designed was conducted, and using a systematic sampling technique, 431 mothers who gave birth in the public hospitals in Dire Dawa city from July 01 to August 30, 2018, were selected. Stillbirth and infants with birth defects were excluded from the study. Well-trained data collectors collected the data using a structured questionnaire which was pretested. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied in multivariate logistic regression models, and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significant. Result The prevalence of low birth weight was 21%. Not received nutritional counseling during antenatal care (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.06), preterm birth (AOR = 18.48, 95% CI: 6.51, 52.42), maternal smoking (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.59, 9.88), and height of the mother less than 150 cm (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.07, 11.76) were significantly associated with Low birth weight. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of low birth weight in the study area. Effective dietary counseling and additional diet, implementing proven strategies to prevent preterm birth and avoid smoking during pregnancy might decrease the low birth weight and then enhance child survival.

Study on the distribution and related factors of birth weight of live births in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China from 2016 to 2018

Objective: To investigate the distribution and related factors of birth weight of live births and full-term infants in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Methods: Based on Guangxi women and children information system from 2016 to 2018, a large real-time database about maternal and live-birth information was established. It covered 1 712 midwifery institutions in Guangxi. A total of 2 394 240 cases of live births were collected and 2 243 129 cases of which were full-term infants. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of low birth weight. Results: The birth weight of 2 394 240 live births, (3 123.49±461.08) g, in Guangxi was approximately normal distribution with a peak distribution to the left. The incidence of low birth weight was 8.05%, and the incidence of macrosomia was 2.07%. The incidence of low birth weight was 10.92% for the puerpera with body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) <18.5, 16.82% for the puerpera with height <145 cm, 8.92% for the puerpera with age <20 years old, 7.67% for the puerpera with age ≥35 years old, and 54.65% for the puerpera with premature birth. The birth weight of 2 243 129 full-term infants, (3 176.01±400.78) g, was approximately normal distribution with a peak distribution to the right. The incidence of low birth weight was 2.97%, and the incidence of macrosomia was 2.19%. The incidence of low birth weight was 4.73% for puerpera with BMI<18.5, 8.17% for puerpera with height<145 cm, 4.83% for puerpera with age <20 years old, and 3.05% for puerpera with age ≥35 years old. The risks of low birth weight [OR (95%CI) value] of pregnant women aged <20, 25-29 and 30-34 years old were 1.31 (1.28-1.35), 0.88 (0.86-0.90) and 0.89 (0.87-0.91) times of those aged ≥35 years old. The risks of low birth weight [OR (95%CI) value] of pregnancy BMI <18.5 and 18.5-23.9 kg/m(2) group were 1.98 (1.94-2.03) and 1.20 (1.18-1.23) times of those pregnancy BMI ≥24 kg/m(2). The risks of low birth weight [OR (95%CI) value] of pregnant women's height (cm)<145, 145-154, 155-159 and 160-164 cm were 4.67 (4.39-4.97), 2.36 (2.29-2.44), 1.58 (1.53-1.63) and 1.22 (1.18-1.26) times of those heights ≥165 cm group. The risks of low birth weight [OR (95%CI) value] of pregnant women's gestational age <28, 28-31 and 32-36 years old were 136.65 (124.33-150.20), 1 704.37 (1 509.02-1 925.02) and 33.45 (32.98-33.94) times of those gestational age ≥37 years old. Conclusion: The incidence of low birth weight of live births was higher in Guangxi from 2016 to 2018. There is a higher risk of low birth weight for younger, older, low height, low BMI and preterm women in Guangxi from 2016 to 2018.

Maternal anemia and low birth weight in a community development block of Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal: a retrospective cohort analysis

Background: Being both highly prevalent public health problems in India, anemia in pregnancy (AIP) is hypothesized as a potential risk factor for low birth weight (LBW) baby as pregnancy outcome. In this context, this study was conducted among pregnant mothers registered in last 2 years under Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Objectives of this study were to assess the relationship of LBW babies with maternal anemia in antenatal period and also with background characteristics and pregnancy related factors.Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted among postnatal mothers who were registered during their pregnancy in sub-centers of this block during a reference period from April’15th - March’17th. The study subjects were identified from the records of each sub-centre and further categorized into two groups: Exposed (anemic) - Hb &lt;11 gm% in any antenatal visits and Non-exposed(non-anemic) - Hb ≥11 gm% in all antenatal visits. Sample size of 988 for each group was calculated. From each sub-centre’s antenatal record 26 subjects for each group were selected by simple random sampling. Data collected with predesigned pretested schedule and data analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 20. Logistic regression was performed to establish association.Results: Overall incidence of LBW was 8.1%; in anemic, non-anemic group incidence were 10.5%, 5.7% respectively. AIP had relative risk 1.85 (1.36-2.54) over LBW. On multivariable logistic regression, LBW was significantly associated with AIP (2.11, 1.51-2.95), multi-parity (0.63, 0.44-0.9), inadequate ANC visits (2.7, 1.75-4.15) and female gender (1.64, 1.19-2.27).Conclusions: Anemia in pregnancy significantly increases risks of LBW which also strongly associated with female new-born, primi-parity, and incomplete ANC visits.

Perinatal Outcome and Long-Term Gastrointestinal Morbidity of Offspring of Women with Celiac Disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate perinatal outcome and long-term offspring gastrointestinal morbidity of women with celiac disease. Perinatal outcomes, as well as long-term gastrointestinal morbidity of offspring of mothers with and without celiac disease were assessed. The study groups were followed until 18 years of age for gastrointestinal-related morbidity. For perinatal outcomes, generalized estimation equation (GEE) models were used. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative incidence of long-term gastrointestinal morbidity, and Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to control for confounders. During the study period, 243,682 deliveries met the inclusion criteria, of which 212 (0.08%) were to mothers with celiac disease. Using GEE models, maternal celiac disease was noted as an independent risk factor for low birth weight and cesarean delivery. Offspring born to mothers with celiac disease had higher rates of gastrointestinal related morbidity (Kaplan–Meier log rank test p < 0.001). Using a Cox proportional hazards model, being born to a mother with celiac disease was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term gastrointestinal morbidity of the offspring. Pregnancy of women with celiac disease is independently associated with adverse perinatal outcome as well as higher risk for long-term gastrointestinal morbidity of offspring.

MAGNITUDE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG WOMEN DELIVERED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF BENCH MAJI, KEFFA AND SHEKA ZONES SOUTH WEST OF ETHIOPIA, 2018

BACKGROUND: The burden of low birth weight has decreased dramatically worldwide in the past 40 years.Despite this, there is still a large gap between the developing and developed countries. Ethiopia is one of thedeveloping countries with limited data on the prevalence and main risk factors of low birth weight. Therefore;providing information on this problem is very important for planning maternal and child health care services.OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude and factors associated with low birth weight among women deliveredat Mizan-Tepi university teaching hospital, Tepi general hospital, Wacha hospital and Gebretsadik Shawo hospitalsSouthwest, Ethiopia, 2018.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected hospitals on all women who gave birth duringstudy period. Data was entered to Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logisticregression analysis was carried out to identify associated factors at confidence interval of 95% and significance levelof P-value&lt;0.05.RESULT: The magnitude of low birth weight was 7.5%. Educational status of the mother [AOR 3.6, 95% CI(1.46-8.92)], iron intake during pregnancy [AOR 2.88, 95% CI (1.37-6.05)], Current pregnancy complication [AOR5.98, 95% CI (3.37-10.62)], induced labor [AOR 2.37, 95% CI (1.08-5.12)] and gestational age [AOR 37.61, 95% CI(20.61-68.56)] were significantly associated factors with low birth weight.CONCLUSION: The magnitude of low birth weight was found to be high in the study area. Educationalstatus of the mother, iron intake during pregnancy, pregnancy complication, induced labor and gestational age wereidentified predictors of low birth weight.KEY TERMS: Low Birth Weight, Pregnancy, Delivery, Women.

Analysis of COL1A1_1 gene (rs1107946) polymorphism as a risk factor for low birth weight

Objective. Identification of the CA genotype of the (rs1107946) polymorphism of COL1A1_1 gene and the pattern of allele distribution in low birth weight babies.Materials and methods. A total of 168 babies were examined. The babies were divided into 3 groups depending on the birth weight: the 1st group comprised of 52 babies (birth weight was 1500–1999 g), the 2nd group – 76 babies (birth weight was 2000–2499 g) and the 3rd group – 40 babies (birth weight was more than 2500 g, that is they had normal birth weight). Polymerase chain reaction genotyping method was used.Results. It was found that the frequency of the C allele detection was equal to 39.60 %, the A allele – 60.42 %, chi-square (df = 1) 29.17, P &lt; 0.05. At the same time, the homozygous AA genotype was observed significantly more often and amounted to 52.98 % versus 32.14 % of the CC genotype cases. The heterozygous CA genotype was detected only in 14.9 % of children, significantly less than homozygous genotypes CC (df = 1) 13.92, P &lt; 0.05 and AA (df = 1) 54.38, P &lt;0.05. The AA genotype of the (rs1107946) polymorphism of COL1A1_1 gene was found among babies of the 1st and 2nd groups in 61.53 % and 52.63 %, CC – 23.08 % and 31.58 %, CA – 15.38 % and 15.79 % of cases, respectively. The CC genotype of the polymorphism was detected almost in half of babies from the 3rd group (47.5 %), while the AA genotype was detected only in 35.0 % and the CA genotype – in 17.5%.Conclusions. The molecular and genetic study of the CA genotype of the (rs1107946) polymorphism of COL1A1_1 gene showed that the determination of the A allele frequency was significantly higher than the C allele among the examined babies. Consequently, the homozygous AA genotype was significantly more common than the CC genotype. The results of the study indicated the prognostic value of the A allelic gene for the risk of low birth weight – that is, the lower birth weight (1500–1999) was found in babies with homozygous AA genotype.

Maternal risk factors for low birth weight of neonates in al- diwaniyah province, iraq

The LBW infants as weighting less than 2.5kg at birth. Infants with low birth weight are probable to suffer medical troubles and delay development from the time of delivery to adult life. This study was planned to discover the prevalence of LBW infants in Ad-Diwaniyah city (Iraq) and the maternal risk factors, which contribute to the occurrence of low birth weight, and it is rated and what the suitable recommendations can be made to prevent this problem. Unfortunately, in Iraq, several studies reveal an increase in the delivery of LBW infants in the last years. The present study was aimed to identify the prevalence of LBW and possible maternal factors in children, teaching hospital in Al-Diwaniyah city during the period of the beginning of February 2017 to February 2018. This is a cross-sectional survey held out in Pediatric, teaching hospital through 1012 pregnant mothers giving a live LBW. Whole children weight on a weighing machine. Data was collected through the interview of mothers. Maternal age and education level, socioeconomic condition, number of prenatal visits, interpregnancy interval and maternal diseases, and infant gender were registered in questionnaire format. The result of the current study detects that the rate of LBW was 20.2%. The highest percentage of them (LBW) was preterm 67.4% and full, term (IUGR) 32.5%. 61.5% of the children in the LBW group were male, and 38.4% were female. Besides the outcome indicates that there are many important risk factors contributed to the incidence of LBW, these are; multiple pregnancies were found to be 66.8% of LBW infants, maternal age 21 – 35 years (39.7%), lack of Prenatal Care (60.3%), delivery by cesarean section (70.6%), mothers who illiterate (64.8%), a large number of mothers from the rural area (68.6%), the presence of maternal diseases (63.5%), all these are considered a risk factor. The current study demonstrates the essential elements give rise to low birth weight in neonates are gestational age (preterm delivery), maternal education and age, multiple births, regular prenatal care, cesarean section, and bad obstetric history.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight Among Babies Delivered at Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital in Nepal

Introduction: Low birth weight is directly related to both immediate and long term development and wellbeing of a person. There are numerous maternal and foetal factors contributing to low birth weight. The mortality and morbidity of low birth weight can be reduced if the maternal risk factors are detected early and managed by simple techniques.&#x0D; Methods: 207 low birth weight live newborn babies regardless of gestational age born in a tertiary level teaching institute from September 2015 to September 2016 were enrolled as cases and same number of normal birth weight babies (i.e. 2.5 to 4 kgs) as control. Information was obtained directly from mothers using pretested structured questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: The incidence of low birth weight was found to be 9.8%. Mean weight of low birth weight babies was 1.98 kg and mean gestational age was 37.34 weeks. Among low birth weight babies, 47.8% were preterm and 52.2% were term. Out of 119 small for gestational age babies, the frequency of symmetrical small for gestational age was 45.3% and asymmetrical small for gestational age was 54.6%. There was significant association of low birth weight with multiple maternal factors like maternal age, education, weight, height, weight gain during pregnancy, ANC visits, parity, antepartum haemorrhage, previous abortion/low birth weight, birth spacing, tobacco/alcohol intake and haemoglobin.&#x0D; Conclusions: Prevalence of low birth weight is likely to be far higher than figure in isolated rural settings of our country. Contribution of SGA is higher than Appropriate for Gestational Age which brings us to a larger burden of long term morbidity and mortality. Various maternal factors are responsible for birth of low birth weight babies.

The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems during pregnancy and the reproductive outcomes: A systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTIONUse of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among pregnant women is of great concern. To our knowledge the current literature provides conflicting views regarding the uncertainties of the effects of ENDS use during pregnancy on the health of the fetus.METHODSWe searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE, for the period 2007 to October 2017 for terms to identify publications on ENDS use during pregnancy and the reproductive outcomes. We updated the search for the period November 2017 to November 2018 using Ovid Medline. We obtained full text of articles and present a summary of the contents.RESULTSWe found no studies of pregnant women exposed to ENDS use and its effect on their fetus or neonates. However, there is a growing body of experimental studies in animals that suggest that nicotine in ENDS alters DNA methylation, induces birth defects, reduces the birth weight, and affects the development of the heart and lungs of their offspring. A large population-based cohort study in the United States estimated that 5% of pregnant women were current ENDS users in 2014; most of them also smoked cigarettes. Surveys conducted among practitioners indicate that there is a need to screen and counsel pregnant women. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis of studies of women who used smokeless tobacco during pregnancy suggest that prenatal nicotine alone is a risk factor for low birth weight, premature delivery, and stillbirth.CONCLUSIONSThere were no previous studies assessing the reproductive effects of ENDS use during pregnancy. However, prenatal exposure to nicotine is known to be harmful to the fetus and the pregnancy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Rafsanjan, Iran; 2017: A cross-sectional study

Background: Low birth weight is an effective factor in neonatal mortality and morbidity. Growth retardation and subsequent chronic diseases are other complications of LBW. The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of LBW in Rafsanjan city in 2016.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated existing data of all live births born in Niknafas Rafsanjan Maternity Hospital, the main maternity hospital in the city, and other delivery centers, from March 2016 to 2017. The information was analyzed in two stages using univariable, and multivariable logistic regression model, to control the effect of confounding variables.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of LBW was 9.7% in Iranian population of which 4.5% had a gestational age of 37 weeks and more. In non-Iranian population (Afghan), the prevalence of LBW was 13.8%, and the percent of gestational age of 37 and more with weight under 2500 gram was 6.7. The main risk factor was gestational age under 37(OR= 38.38). Other important variables in this study that had significant effects after controlling for the confounding were age over 35 years (OR= 1.485), addiction (OR= 4.057), Abortion history (OR= 1.2), Place of living (Village vs. city) (OR=0.93), Maternal educational Level (OR= 1.85), infant’s gender (Boy vs. girl) (OR= 0.74), and delivery type (OR=1.39)&#x0D; Conclusion: Despite the provided health services, there was found a high prevalence of LBW, so delivering quality healthcare for all pregnant women and screening for high-risk pregnancies, such as, prevention of premature delivery, educational interventions, and quality healthcare for high risk groups and beside, more research on the recognition of other risk factors can have important role in LBW prevention.

Risk factors for low birth weight among rural and urban Malaysian women

BackgroundLow birth weight prevalence in Malaysia remains high. Socioeconomic background may lead to differences in physical activity and maternal nutritional status, which may play an important role in birth outcomes.MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study aimed to identify rural-urban differences in risk factors for low birth weight among women in Malaysia. Pregnant women at ≥20 weeks of gestation in urban and rural Malaysia (n = 437) completed questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity. Weight and middle-upper arm circumference were measured. Infant birth outcomes were extracted from medical records.ResultsThe overall prevalence of low birth weight infants was 6.38%. Rural women had more low birth weight infants than urban women (9.8% vs 2.0%, p = 0.03). Findings showed rural women were less sedentary (p = 0.003) and participated in more household/caregiving activities (p = 0.036), sports activities (p = 0.01) and less occupational activity (p < 0.001) than urban women. Logistic regression revealed that older age (OR = 1.395, 95% Cl = 1.053 to 1.846), low parity (OR = 0.256, 95% Cl = 0.088–0.747) and low middle-upper arm circumference (OR = 0.738, 95% Cl = 0.552 to 0.987) increased the risk of low birth weight infants in rural, but not in urban women.ConclusionsWe observed differences in risk factors for low birth weight between urban and rural pregnant women. Age, malnutrition and low parity were risk factors for low birth weight among rural pregnant women. Our findings suggest that rural pregnant women with low nutritional status should be encouraged to monitor their middle-upper arm circumference consistently throughout pregnancy. Improving nutritional status in rural pregnant women may reduce the risk of low birth weight infants in this population.

The association between assisted reproductive technologies and low birth weight.

To examine the existing literature in regards to the relationship between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and low birth weight (LBW). In 2017, Martin et al. reported on the incidence of low birth weight in relation to the number of embryos transferred, and showed that incidence of low birth weight in singletons correlates with number of embryos transferred. Meanwhile, several studies have shown increased weight of singletons born after frozen embryo transfers compared with fresh embryo transfers. A recent study published by Sekhon et al., among others, disputes these findings, and claims that frozen and fresh embryo transfers result in comparable birth weights. It is also noteworthy that Mass et al., in 2016, analyzed how birth weight as a result of assisted reproductive technologies has evolved over the years, and concluded that birth weight has not changed significantly over a long period of time. Newborns conceived via assisted reproductive technologies are three times more likely to have low birth weight. Although multiple gestation and its associated prematurity are the main risk factors for low birth weight in ART-conceived pregnancies, some of the other processes specific to assisted reproduction also impact perinatal outcomes. Options, such as fresh or frozen embryo transfers, the number of embryos transferred, or endometrial preparation may all importantly affect birth weight and prematurity of ART-conceived newborns.

Study on the effect of maternal anemia on birth weight of term neonates among rural population India

Background: Maternal anemia in pregnancy is common and has several deleterious effects on the health of the mother and the fetus. Maternal anemia is an important risk factor for LBW babies and preterm babies. There exists an insufficient information regarding the adverse effect of anemia during pregnancy especially among rural population. The aim of the study was to determine whether maternal anemia would affect the birth weight of the baby.Methods: The study was conducted in post-natal ward in Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital and Research centre, Ariyur, Puducherry, India a tertiary care hospital in a rural area.Results: About 85% of low birth weight babies were born to mothers with severe maternal anemia with a p value of &lt;0.001 which is statistically significant. None of the mothers who didn't have maternal anemia had low birth weight babies.Conclusions: Maternal anemia is directly proportional to fetal growth. Maternal anemia being an important risk factor for low birth weight should be prevented as early as possible thus helpful in de-creasing the incidence, mortality and morbidity of LBW babies.

Faktor-Faktor Risiko Terjadinya Berat Bayi Lahir Rendah

Low Birth Weight (LBW) is the proportion of live births weighing less than 2,500 grams and 20 times the chance of dying in infancy. LBW is the result of premature birth (&lt;37 weeks' gestation) or impaired intrauterine growth. Neonatal mortality is one of the indicators determining the health and welfare of children. IMR in Banjarnegara Regency in 2015 was 13.23 per 1,000 live births which in absolute terms still ranked highest in Central Java Province. The formulation of the problem is risk factors of low birth weight at Karang Kobar Health Center in Banjarnegara Regency in 2018. This research is a descriptive analytic study using case control study design. The research sample was taken from the total number of LBW in January to December 2017. Data were analyzed univariate and bivariate. The results of the study, the factors associated with the incidence of LBW are the factors of maternal age during pregnancy, gestational age, anemia, and nutrition pregnant women.

Maternal and Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Birth Weight of Newborns Delivered at a Teaching Hospital of Dhaka City

Background: Birth weight is the most important predictor of newborn health and survival and is associated with higher risk of infant and childhood mortality.&#x0D; Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the maternal and socio-demographic factors of low birth weight (LBW) newborns of mothers admitted at a teaching medical college hospital in Dhaka city of Bangladesh.&#x0D; Methodology: This was a cross sectional study. Interview was taken by face to face interview and was focused to obtain the information about maternal weight at onset gestation, before delivery, educational, economical status of family, antenatal care visits, maternal exposure to hypertension and anaemia. Data had been collected from interview and medical records.&#x0D; Results: This study revealed from multivariate liner regression analysis. In this model, birth weight had been considered as continuous variable and results had depicted the relationship of different maternal factors with birth weight. This study suggests that there were several factors which lead to LBW babies. The study shows ANC visits (p value 0.05), number of parity (p value .02) and hypertension (p value 0.02) had significant negative effect of on birth weight. Mothers who had taken less ANC visits, more chance of having LBW.Hypertensive mothers were at risk of having low birth weight babies than normotensive mothers. Number of parity was also found as a significant factor. Primi mothers were more prone to LBW.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study suggests that less ANC visits, increase number of parity and hypertension have significant negative effect of on birth weight.&#x0D; Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):47-52

Risk factors for low birth weight in hospitals of North Wello zone, Ethiopia: A case-control study.

BackgroundLow birth weight at birth is an important underlying contributor for neonatal and infant mortality. It accounts for nearly half of all perinatal deaths. Identifying predictors of low birth weight is the first essential step in designing appropriate management strategies. Hence, this study aimed to identify risk factors for low birth weight in hospitals of northeastern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution based case-control study design was conducted from 10th April to 15th December 2016. Three hundred sixty mother-infant pairs (120 low birth weight babies as cases and 240 normal birth weights as controls) were included in the study. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were computed to examine the effect of independent variables on outcome variable using SPSS 20.0. Variables with p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThe mean (±SD) gestational age and birth weight (±SD) were 39.2 (±1.38) weeks and 2800 (±612), grams respectively. Partner’s education/being illiterate (AOR: 4.09; 95% CI 1.45, 11.50), antenatal care visit at private health institutions (AOR: 0.13; 95% CI 0.02, 0.66), having history of obstetric complications (AOR: 5.70; 95% CI 2.38, 13.63), maternal weight during pregnancy (AOR: 4.04; 95% CI 1.50, 10.84) and gravidity (AOR: 0.36; 95% CI 0.18, 0.73) were significantly associated with low birth weight. Additionally, a site for water storage and water treatment were significant environmental factors.ConclusionMaternal weight during pregnancy, paternal education, previous obstetric complication and place of antenatal follow-up were associated with low birth weight. The risk factors identified in this study are preventable. Thus, nutritional counseling, health education on improvement of lifestyle and early recognition and treatment of complications are the recommended interventions.

Magnitude of Low Birth Weight and Associated Factors among Newborns Delivered in Dangla Primary Hospital, Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017.

Background Low birth weight is defined as a live born infant weighs less than 2 500 g regardless of gestational age. Globally, the prevalence of low birth weight ranges from 3% to 15%. Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality, morbidity, development, and future health. The prevalence of low birth weight in Ethiopia was estimated to be 14% which is one of the highest percentages in the world. So, the aim of this study is to assess magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight among newborns delivered at Dangla Primary Hospital, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Dangla Primary Hospital from September 27 to June 10, 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the 232 study participants. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data quality was assured by pretesting, training, and frequent supervision. Descriptive statistics were performed for the descriptive part of the study. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of low birth weight. Those variables and p-value < 0.25 were included in the multivariable logistic regression for controlling the possible effect of confounders. Finally, variables which had significant association were identified on the basis of AOR, with 95%CI and with P-value <0.05. Results Magnitude of low birth weight was 10.3 %. Previous history of low birth weight [AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: (1.13-9.9)], additional food intake during the last pregnancy [AOR = 5.0, 95% CI: (1.2-16.2)], and preterm delivery [AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: (3.1-19.2)] were independent predictors of low birth weight. Conclusion Magnitude of low birth weight in Dangla Primary Hospital was high. So, strengthening counseling systems for women through quality antenatal care on advantage of additional food intake and previous bad obstetric outcome is necessary to alleviate the delivery of low birth weight neonates in the study area.

Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Indigenous Populations: a systematic review of the world literature

Abstract Objectives: we aimed to identify etiological factors for low birth weight (LBW), prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the Indigenous Population. Methods: for this systematic review, publications were searched in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs until April 2018. The description in this review was based on the PRISMA guideline (Study protocol CRD42016051145, registered in the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at University of York). We included original studies that reported any risk factor for one of the outcomes in the Indigenous Population. Two of the authors searched independently for papers and the disagreements were solved by a third reviewer Results: twenty-four studies were identified, most of them were from the USA, Canada and Australia. The factors associated were similar to the ones observed in the non-indigenous including unfavorable obstetric conditions, maternal malnutrition, smoking, and maternal age at the extremes of childbearing age, besides environmental factors, geographic location, and access to health care in indigenous communities. Conclusions: etiologic factors for LBW in Indigenous Population have been receiving little attention, especially in Latin America. The three outcomes showed common causes related to poverty and limited access to healthcare. New studies should ensure explicit criteria for ethnicity, quality on the information about gestational age, and the investigation on contextual and culture-specific variables.

A low-birth-weight risk assessment scale: development and validation through a questionnaire-based survey

BackgroundBirth weight is continuously decreasing in Japan since food satiation has become a problem in recent years. The present study aimed to develop and examine the reliability and validity of a scale for the assessment of risk factors for low birth weight in infants born at term.MethodsA self-administered postal questionnaire survey comprising a low birth weight risk assessment scale was conducted on mothers with children of nursery school or kindergarten age. After item analysis (scale), factor structure was confirmed by an exploratory factor analysis using the main factor method promax rotation. The reliability of this scale was confirmed by Cronbach’s α coefficient and Item–Total correlation. The validity was confirmed by known-groups validity and internal validity.ResultsThe responses of 630 mothers (valid response rate, 18.5%) were analyzed. Factor analysis (principal factor analysis and promax rotation) obtained an optimal scale comprising 25 items in the following nine factors: “guidance at each checkup,” “adequate rest,” “support from husband,” “effects on the fetus,” “support from society,” “support from family,” “effects of minor troubles,” “good lifestyle habits,” and “fall risk and lifestyle changes.” The overall Cronbach’s α coefficient for the scale was 0.701. Known-groups validity examination revealed significant differences in scale scores of birth weight, birth history, and maternal smoking status.ConclusionThe scale demonstrated internal consistency, construct validity, and known-groups validity, indicating that it can be used as an indicator of low birth weight risk. In the future, this scale may be included in medical questionnaires as part of health guidance for pregnant women at a risk of delivering low birth weight children.

Maternal HIV infection and preeclampsia increased risk of low birth weight among newborns delivered at University of Gondar specialized referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017

IntroductionGlobally, more than 20 million infants are born with low birth weight. The risk of neonatal mortality among low birth weight infants is 25 to 30 times greater than neonates with birth weight ≥ 2500 g. Low birth weight infants are at increased risk of infection, difficulty of feeding, and neurologic problems following birth. So far, the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight have not been studied in the study area after completion of the time set for millennium development goals. Therefore, the study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among newborns delivered at University of Gondar specialized referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017.MethodsInstitution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 28, 2017. A total of 240 newborns were included in the study. Systematic random sampling technique was used for selecting study participant’s medical record charts from delivery registration log book. Data were collected using data extraction tool. Binary logistic regression followed by multivariable regression model was fitted and interpretation was made based on the adjusted odds ratio and p-value of less than 0.05 with corresponding 95% CI.ResultsThe prevalence of low birth weight was 12.9% (95%CI: 8.94, 17.83%). No history of preeclampsia (AOR = 0.193, 95%CI: 0.0516, 0.723), negative maternal HIV infection (AOR = 0.015, 95%CI: 0.001, 0.277), and being preterm (AOR = 17.6, 95%CI: 5.18, 60.17) were significantly associated with low birth weight.Conclusion and recommendationsThe result of this study highlighted that the burden of low birth weight is a public health concern among babies delivered in University of Gondar specialized referral Hospital. Maternal HIV infection, preeclampsia, and prematurity were associated with low birth weight. Prevention and treatment of Human immunodeficiency virus infection during pregnancy, tackling prematurity and prevention of preeclampsia through strengthening of antenatal care service and other comprehensive strategies are strongly recommended.