Low Birth Weight Factors Research Articles

Determinants of Low Birth Weight among Deliveries at a Referral Hospital in Northern Ethiopia.

Background Low birth weight is the leading cause of infant and child mortality and contributes to several poor health outcomes. Proper knowledge of risk factors of low birth weight is important for identifying those mothers at risk and thereby for planning and taking appropriate actions. This study investigates factors predicting occurrence of low birth weight among deliveries at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Methods Facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among deliveries that took place at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Birth records and mothers' ANC files were reviewed from April to June 2016. The study participants were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of low birth weight. Result A total of 147 birth records of babies with low birth weight (cases) and 294 birth records of babies with normal birth weight (controls) were reviewed. The birth weight of low birth weight babies (cases) ranged from 1000 grams to 2400 grams with median (±IQR) of 2200 grams (±300 grams), whereas it ranged from 2500 grams to 4500 grams with median (±IQR) of 3100 grams (±525 grams) among controls. Preterm birth (AOR = 5.32; CI = 2.959–9.567), history of any physical trauma experienced during pregnancy (AOR = 13.714; CI = 2.382–78.941), and history of any pregnancy complication (AOR = 2.708; CI = 1.634–4.487) were predictors of low birth weight. On the other hand, cesarean delivery (AOR = 0.415; CI = 0.183–0.941) and instrumental (AOR = 0.574; CI = 0.333–0.987) modes of delivery as well as maternal history of chronic diabetes (AOR = 0.275; CI = 0.090–0.836) had preventive effect of low birth weight. Conclusion Preterm birth, history of experiencing any physical trauma during pregnancy, and history of any pregnancy complication were predictors of low birth weight, whereas cesarean and instrumental delivery had positive effect to preventing low birth weight.

Low Birth Weight at Term: Risk Factors and Perinatal Prognosis in the Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso

Objective: The objective of our study was to study the risk factors of low birth weight at term in the Teaching Hospital Yalgado (CHU-YO) Ouedraogo. Patients and Methods: This dealt with a comparative and analytical control case study. The group of cases was made up of female patients who gave birth to newborns with low birth weight at term and that of control cases included female patients who delivered a normal-weighted newborn at term. Results: The frequency of low birth weight at term was therefore estimated at 4.4%. The average age of the parturients was 25 ± 6.36 years. Female patients living in a marital setting accounted for 93.1% of cases and 64.4% of them had no income-generating activities. A maternal underweight, a height below 155 cm, passive smoking, and malaria during pregnancy have been identified as the factors associated with a low birth weight. Conclusion: Quality prenatal care could reduce the incidence of low birth weight at term.

Low Birth Weight Infants in a Remote Area of Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Following the mother and child policy called the Revolusi KIA in East Nusa Tenggara Province, the registration for low birth weight (LBW) infants increased because mothers should deliver at health facilities. The South Central Timor (TTS) district was suffered with LBW and therefore raised a question why the problem occurred. A qualitative study in a sub district of TTS district was implemented. The area was approximately 60 Km away from the district capital and 160 Km from the provincial capital, Kupang. The target resource persons were a pregnant woman, mother with LBW baby, health cadres and health personnel from the primary health care. A house visit was done to explore the problem among pregnant women. We found no risk of smoking and drinking alcohol among them. Passive smoker might happen due to husband smoking at home. In the Puskesmas we observed risk of anemia, malaria and chronic under nutrition among the mothers as also the risk factors of LBW. However, we found no specific follow up afterwards. Education was made but not recorded. There was no complete record also, for each mother at delivery, which indicated a problem in the health care delivery. The Puskesmas’ task was to identify individual risk factors of pregnancy but not for the newborn in context of the community. Certainly, the Puskesmas was in needs for improvements of health care services, in this study, the maternal and child health care.

Maternal anthropometry and weight gain as risk factors for low birth weight in singleton uncomplicated pregnancies

Objectives: The present cross sectional study was done to investigate the maternal anthropometry and weight gain in relation to pregnancy outcomes of mothers in Hail city of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was carried out in two maternity hospitals of Hail, Saudi Arabia. Sample size of 522 mothers who delivered single live baby without any congenital abnormality were selected to be included in the present study. Mother’s and infant’s anthropometric measurements were taken with standard techniques. Hemoglobin, blood sugar and blood pressure were recorded using electronic devices. Information regarding the demographic characteristics, health status of mothers, antenatal checkups and health related habits were accessed through structured questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 17.0 Software. Odds Ratios, Means, Pearson’s correlation, Analysis of Variance were done to find out the risk factors associated with poor pregnancy outcome. Results: The mean birth weight of the infants was 3.16 kg ranging from 1.7 kg to 5.4 kg. Male babies tend to be heavier, whereas 100% of the very low birth weight deliveries were only females. Other factors like maternal Body mass Index before pregnancy, Weight gain in pregnancy, Maternal anemia, presence of chronic illnesses like diabetes, Hypertension and hypo/hyperthyroidism had effected the birth weight of newborn infants. Conclusion: The present study provides some useful data to promote healthy pregnancy outcomes. Maternal factors like nutritional status, poor pregnancy weight gain and unhealthy obstetric history are found to be the major risk factors.

THE EFFECT OF INSUFFICIENT IRON CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY ON THE RISK OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN RSUD KOTA DEPOK AND BEKASI

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low consumption of iron tablets during pregnancy on the risk of low birth weight. This case–control study included 56 women who gave birth to infants weighing <2500 g in RSUD Kota Depok and Bekasi. The control group consisted of 112 mothers who gave birth to infants weighing ≥ 2500 g.Methods: This study was performed from September 2015 to December 2015. Data were collected from patient’s medical records and via structured interviews with questionnaires.Results: We found that, among the study participants, 73.2% were aged 20-35 years, 76.2% had a gestational age ≥37 weeks, 61.3% had 1-3 children parity, time from previous delivery was >2 years in 53.6%, 95.2% did not complete antenatal examinations, 95.8% had a body weight of ≥40 kg before pregnancy, 91.1% showed a ≥5 kg increase in body weight during pregnancy, 45.8% had a high school education, 88.7% were housewives, hemoglobin level was ≥11 g/dL in 63.1%, and 53.0% did not consume heme-containing food daily. Only 53% of the participants consumed an adequate amount of iron, whereas the remaining 47% consumed less than the recommended amount of iron. Bivariate tests revealed that women who consumed an inadequate amount of iron during pregnancy had a 6.08-fold higher risk of low birth weight than women who consumed an adequate amount of iron during pregnancy.Conclusions: The strongest risk factor for low birth weight was inadequate consumption of iron during pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 5.87; 95%, CI: 2.76-12.49) followed by inadequate gestational age (OR = 4.27; 95%, CI: 2.76-12.49).

Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight among Deliveries at Bharatpur Hospital

Babies with a birth weight of less than 2500 grams, irrespective of the period of their gestation are termed as Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies. Despite consistent efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health, more than twenty million low birth-weight (LBW) babies are born every year throughout the world. Though, the health situation of Nepal has improved substantially over the years, the low birth-weight (LBW) rate is still high. The objective of this study was to assess the proportion of low birth weight and identify the associated factors for low birth weight in a live born infant among the institutionally delivered newborns. A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward of Bharatpur hospital, Bharatpur, from 17th September to 4th October , 2012. Altogether 480 respondents were taken and respondents were mothers who had delivered newborns in Bharatpur hospital. A total of 480 births occurred during the study period, of which 480 met the study criteria. Among which 9.4% were low birth weight and 90.6% were normal birth weight .Overall mean birth weight was found to be 2.96 kg. Out of total 9.4% newborns were weighing less than 2.50 kg and mean birth weight 2.96kg. This study suggests that there were several factors interplaying which lead to LBW babies; which are age of mother at delivery,weight gain by mother during pregnancy, short, low body mass index and hyperemesis gravidarum was the strongest predictor in this study.

Prevalence and associate factors of low birth weight in North Indian babies: a rural based study

Background: LBW is universally used as an indicator of health status and is an important subject of national concern and a focus of health policy. LBW is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality in India. Regional estimates of LBW include 28% in south Asia, 13% in sub-Saharan Africa and 9% in Latin America. Among regions, South Asia has the highest incidence of LBW; with one in four newborns has LBW. In 2011, Indian Statistical Institute reported nearly 20% of new born have LBW in India. DLHS-4 (2012-2013) in Haryana found that the prevalence of LBW was as 12.7%. The aims and objectives of study were to know the prevalence and its associated factors of low birth weight in rural area of Haryana.Methods: The beri block (Jhajjar) which is rural field practice of department of Community Medicine Pt B D Sharma PGIMS Rohtak (Haryana) India, has one CHC Dighal having 20 sub-centers. 10 sub-centers were selected by simple random sampling from these 20 sub-centres and 800 study subjects were enrolled from June 2015 to May 2016 from selected subcentres.Results: In present study, prevalence of LBW was 17%. The study found that sex of baby, type of family, socioeconomic status, educational status of mother, occupation of mother, anemia and intake of IFA had significantly impacted on LBW in India.Conclusions: Prevalence of LBW is decreased by health and nutrition education, iron and folic acid supplementation, effective management of complication.

High parity and chronic energy deficiency increase risk for low birth weight in Situbondo District

Background and purpose: The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) in Situbondo District increased from 2.79% in 2008 to 5.85% in 2014. The highest prevalence in 2015 was found in Bungatan Subdistrict (11%). This study aims to determine risk factors of LBW in Bungatan Subdistrict, Situbondo.Methods: A case control study was conducted in Bungatan Subdistrict. A total of 60 infants born at the Bungatan Community Health Centre were included in the study. Cases were infants with LBW and controls were those with normal birth weight. All infants born with LBW were taken as cases (20 infants) while 40 controls were selected using a systematic random sampling. Data were collected from February to March 2016. Data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate with logistic regression test.Results: The majority of respondents were unemployed (80%), aged between 20-35 years during the pregnancy (53.33%), with parity of ?3 (66.67%), low education level (61.67%), anemia during the pregnancy (68.33%), good nutritional status (75.00%), poor nutrition intake during the pregnancy (51.67%) and without pre-eclampsia (88.33%). Parity of >3 increased the risk of LBW (AOR=6.4; 95%CI 1.66 - 24.75). Chronic energy deficiency increased the risk of LBW (AOR=5.6; 95%CI 1.41-22.57).Conclusions: Parity of more than three and chronic energy deficiency increase the risk for LBW in Bungatan Community Health Centre, Situbondo District.

Nutritional Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight Among poor Rural Mothers from Maharashtra, India.

Nutritional Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight Among poor Rural Mothers from Maharashtra, India.

Association between Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Birth Outcomes

Objective: To understand the association between exposure in pregnant women to phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and birth outcomes. Method: The study was conducted from April to June 2013 in Xiamen, China. A total 1020 pregnant women (gestational age ≤16 weeks) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the cohort. Finally, 25 women with premature delivery and 15 with low birth weight were defined as case groups. According to the study criteria, we selected 100 healthy participants as a control group. Participant information was collected by questionnaires and urine samples were collected, and detect five PAEs (MMP, MEP, MBP, MBzP, and MEHP) levels in urine samples. Single and multi-factor logistic analyses were used to analyze the association between PAE concentration and birth outcomes. Results: Medians of the five PAEs above in the premature delivery group were 36.13 ng/ml, 19.02 ng/ml, 13.64 ng/ml, 2.11 ng/ml, 43.47 ng/ml, respectively. In the control group, these were 35.48 ng/ml, 17.62 ng/ml, 10.15 ng/ml, 2.34 ng/ml, 35.62 ng/ml, respectively. The result of multi-factor logistic analysis indicated that MBP and MEHP were associated with premature delivery: OR 1.629, 95% CI (1.067, 2.488), OR 1.675, 95% CI (1.028, 2.729), respectively. Medians of the five PAEs in the low birth weight group were 37.28 ng/ml, 21.36 ng/ml, 14.60 ng/ml, 2.63 ng/ml, 45.72 ng/ml, respectively. In the control group, these were 35.48 ng/ml, 17.62 ng/ml, 10.15 ng/ml, 2.34 ng/ml, 35.62 ng/ml respectively. MEP, MBP, and MEHP were associated with low birth weight: OR 1.699, 95% CI (1.074, 2.688), OR 1.621, 95% CI (1.061, 2.475), and OR 1.817, 95% CI (1.005, 3.284), respectively. Conclusion: MBP and MEHP exposure in pregnant women were risk factors of premature delivery and MEP, MBP, MEHP exposure were risk factors of low birth weight. Preventing or reducing environmental exposure of pregnant women to these PAEs is of utmost importance.

Differences in Social Support in Perinatal Depression [19L

INTRODUCTION: Depression during pregnancy is a known risk factor for low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Identifying social risk factors for depression in pregnancy can impact directed perinatal services aimed at reducing PTB and LBW. This study describes associations between partner status and depression in pregnant women in high prevalence areas for PTB and LBW in Los Angeles. METHODS: From December 2013 through August 2016, community health workers conducted a novel prenatal risk assessment with evidence-based screening tools for psychosocial risk factors in women enrolling into a Los Angeles County prenatal care program. Depression was measured using Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Chi-square tests were performed. RESULTS: Analyses included data from 3,214 women. This cohort exhibited high rates of depression (23%). Women scoring high for depression were significantly less likely to report being married (chi-square=53, p less than 0001) or living with the father of their babies (chi-square= 71, p less than 0001). Unmarried women (35%) scored higher for depression than married women (21%). Women who did not live with the father of their babies (40%) scored higher for depression than those who did (26%). CONCLUSION: Married and cohabitating pregnant women were significantly less likely to score high for depression. These findings suggest that social supports are critical pregnant women's mental health, which we know impacts PTB and LBW. Women with limited partner support could benefit from increased mood surveillance and psychological interventions during prenatal care.

Maternal socioeconomic status and infant mortality with low birth weight as a mediator: an inter-country comparison between Scotland and Denmark using administrative data

ABSTRACT
 ObjectivesHigher rates of infant mortality in the UK than in the Nordic countries are partly explained by wider socio-economic disparities in the UK. We examined the extent to which low birth weight mediates the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and infant mortality using causal mediation analysis. We used cohorts of live births identified in administrative hospital data for the whole of Scotland and Denmark to explore the contribution of prenatal factors, represented by low birth weight, to differences in infant mortality between the two countries.
 ApproachWe included live-born children born in Denmark (n=1,432,205) and Scotland (n=1,427,163) from 1981-2004. Follow up was to 12 months of age. Information on deaths in first year of life was obtained through linkage with cause of death registers. We determined the effect of socioeconomic status on all cause infant mortality by comparing the highest and lowest quintiles of area-based deprivation (based on Carstairs score in Scotland) or level of maternal education in Denmark. Causal mediation analysis was used for survival outcomes with adjustment for maternal age at birth, sex, birth year of the child, and records indicating congenital malformation.
 ResultsDuring the follow-up, there were 8,158(0.57%) deaths in Denmark and 8,271(0.58%) deaths in Scotland. Comparing with the very high SES group, the overall hazard ratios of death for each SES quintile (starting with the lowest) compared with the highest SES quintile were 1.58(95% Confidence interval: 1.47-1.71), 1.40(1.32-1.49),1.25(1.20-1.30), 1.11(1.09-1.14) in Denmark, and 1.50(1.36-1.65),1.35(1.25-1.45),1.22(1.16-1.28),1.10(1.08-1.13) in Scotland. The proportions of excess infant deaths mediated through low birth weight (starting with the lowest) compared with the highest SES quintile were 54.7%, 52.1%, 49.5%, 46.9% in Denmark, and 26.0%, 23.9%, 22.0%, 20.1% in Scotland.
 ConclusionOur result suggests that SES has similar effects on infant mortality in Denmark and Scotland but more of the effect of SES on infant mortality is mediated through low birth weight in Denmark. Public health preventive strategies for infant mortality in both countries need to address prenatal risk factors for low birth weight. The substantial direct effects of SES on infant mortality seen in Scotland, which were not mediated through low birth weight, may be explained by other birth characteristics or could reflect persisting SES disparities in the care of infants after birth.

Occurrence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Sana’a, Yemen

Occurrence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Sana’a, Yemen

Risk factors for low birth weight and preterm birth: A population-based case-control study in Wuhan, China.

Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PB) are associated with newborn mortality and diseases in adulthood. We explored factors related to LBW and PB by conducting a population-based case-control study from January 2011 to December 2013 in Wuhan, China. A total of 337 LBW newborn babies, 472 PB babies, and 708 babies with normal birth weights and born from term pregnancies were included in this study. Information of newborns and their parents was collected by trained investigators using questionnaires and referring to medical records. Univariate and logistic regression analyses with the stepwise selection method were used to determine the associations of related factors with LBW and PB. Results showed that maternal hypertension (OR=6.78, 95% CI: 2.27-20.29, P=0.001), maternal high-risk pregnancy (OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.06-2.21, P=0.022), and maternal fruit intake ≥300 g per day during the first trimester (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.17-2.45, P=0.005) were associated with LBW. BMI ≥24 kg/m2 of mother prior to delivery (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.74, P=0.001) and gestation ≥37 weeks (OR=0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.02, P<0.034) were protective factors for LBW. Maternal hypertension (OR=3.36, 95% CI: 1.26-8.98, P=0.016), maternal high-risk pregnancy (OR=4.38, 95% CI: 3.26-5.88, P<0.001), maternal meal intake of only twice per day (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.10-3.20, P=0.021), and mother liking food with lots of aginomoto and salt (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.02-2.51, P=0.040) were risk factors for PB. BMI ≥24 kg/m2 of mother prior to delivery (OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47-0.93, P=0.018), distance of house from road ≥36 meters (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.97, P=0.028), and living in rural area (OR= 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.99, P=0.047) were protective factors for PB. Our study demonstrated some risk factors and protective factors for LBW and PB, and provided valuable information for the prevention of the conditions among newborns.

Nutritional status and dietary intake among pregnant women in relation to pre-pregnancy body mass index in Japan.

Objective The present study examined nutritional status and dietary intake of pregnant women in Japan in relation to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).Methods Participants included 141 Japanese women with singleton pregnancies, from the outpatient department of the S hospital, Gunma prefecture, Japan. Two-day food records, dietary assessment questionnaires, and clinical records were obtained at 20 weeks gestation. Nine patients were excluded from the study due to morning sickness. The remaining 132 participants were divided into 3 groups according to pre-pregnancy BMI: underweight, normal weight, and overweight. Nutritional status and dietary intake were analyzed in relation to BMI using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance with adjustment for age, employment status, and total energy intake.Results Women who were underweight before pregnancy were more frequently working full-time than normal weight and overweight women. Underweight women were also more frequently anemic (P=0.038, underweight 39.3%, normal weight 24.7%, overweight 0%) and had lower mean hemoglobin (Hb) (P=0.021, underweight 11.3 g/dL, normal weight 11.6 g/dL, overweight 12.1 g/dL) and hematocrit (Hct) levels (P=0.025, underweight 33.7%, normal weight 34.3%, overweight 36.0%). Their dietary intake of protein, iron, magnesium, and folic acid was lower than that of normal weight and overweight women. Their meals tended to include fewer meat, fish, egg, and soybean dishes (underweight, mean of 4.7 servings per day; normal weight, 6.1 servings; overweight, 6.1 servings).Conclusion Pregnant women who were underweight before pregnancy had increased risk of anemia as well as reduced Hb and Hct levels. They had lower dietary intake of protein, iron and folic acid compared to women in the other BMI categories. Anemia and these nutrient deficiencies are known risk factors for low birth weight. Our findings suggest the importance of providing underweight pregnant women with support to improve dietary intake during their pregnancy, especially to increase intake of protein and iron through consumption of fish and meat dishes.

Status of Knowledge on the Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight among the Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Bangladesh

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major public health problems in developing countries, like Bangladesh. Maternal knowledge is directly involved with the status of birth of her baby. Very little is known about the knowledge on the risk factors of LBW babies in rural life context of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the selected reproductive age women of the village Vagna and Shubadda in Kearanigonj sub-district under Dhaka District with a view to assess the level of knowledge about risk factors of low birth weight. A total of 300 reproductive aged women were interviewed purposively using semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The study reported around two-third (64.0%) of the respondents had mentioned that they had perceived knowledge about the low birth weight. Among all the maternal risk factors, anemia was identified by two-fifth of participants (40.0%) followed by malnutrition (18.6%). The study documented only a little less than one fifth of the respondents had knowledge that lack of antenatal care in pregnancy can cause of LBW newborn. Bivariate analysis found statistically significant association between knowledge on low birth weight and respondent’s age (P=0.001), education (p=0.001), occupation (p<0.001) and their guardian’s education (P=0.001) and occupation (P<0.05). However, education is the most important determinant to have the knowledge about the risk factors and prevention measure of LBW. Conclusion: The study findings observed that women lack the knowledge on risk factors of low birth weight in terms of mothers’ risk factors, complication and prevention of low birth weight. The study focused more attention to some affecting factors of the low birth weight with the mother’s education, occupation, health status and antenatal care service. The LBW scenario may be reduced in expected rate if health policy makers consider the urgent intervention raising the awareness about the risk factors of LBW, and also providing much reproductive education to the problem of low birth weight.

Modeling Maternal Risk Factors Affecting Low Birth Weight Among Infants in Kenya

The strong association of birth weight with infant mortality is the main focus of birth weight research, with the assumption that birth weight is a major determinant of infant survival. Studies on factors of low birth weight in Kenya have neglected the flexible approach of using smooth functions for some covariates in models. Such flexible approach reveals detailed relationship of covariates with the response. The study sought to investigate risk factors of low birth weight in Kenya by assuming a flexible approach for continuous covariates and geographical random effect. The study used semi parametric models to flexibly model the effects of selected covariates and spatial effects. Our spatial analysis is based on a flexible geo-additive model using the provinces as the geographic unit of analysis, which allows to separate smooth structured spatial effects from random effect. A Gaussian model for birth weight in grams and a binary logistic model for the binary outcome were fitted. Continuous covariates was modeled by the penalized (p) splines and spatial effects was smoothed by the two dimensional p-spline. The specific objectives of the study was to investigate factors of low birth weight in Kenya by taking into account the hierarchical nature of child birth weight factors using a Bayesian hierarchical model. The study used secondary data from Kenya 2014 demographic and health survey (KDHS) data. The study found that child birth order, mother weight and height are significant predictors of birth weight. Secondary education for mother, birth order categories 2-3 and 4-5, wealth index of richer family and mother height were significant predictors of child size at birth. The area associated with low birth weight was North Eastern and areas with increased risk to less than average size at birth were Central and Eastern. The study found support for the flexible modeling of some covariates that clearly have nonlinear influences. Nevertheless there was no strong support for inclusion of geographical spatial analysis. The spatial patterns and the maps generated could be used for targeting development efforts at a glance. These findings have important implications for targeting policy as well as the search for left-out variables that might account for these residual spatial patterns.

Incidence and associated risk factors of low birth weight babies born in Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayad Al-Nayan Hospital Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Background and Objective:Birth weight is the most important factor that affects infant and child mortality. The most common cause of low birth is malnutrition before and during the pregnancy period. The present study was conducted to explore the associated risk factors of low birth weight which will be helpful to undertake effective measures to reduce the incidence of the low birth weight babies.Methods:The study was conducted at Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayad Al-Nayan Hospital Muzaffarabad. A sample size of 1603 live births over a period of five months were analyzed. The pregnant women were recruited in the last trimester of their pregnancy and followed up till their delivery. Information regarding maternal age, parity, income of family, gestational age, maternal occupation, degree of illiteracy, birth interval was collected. The birth weight was recorded within 24 hours of delivery. Data analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism version 6.0.Results:Data of 1863 birth out of which 1603 were live births and among these live births, 1442 were normal birth weight babies and 161 number of low birth weight (LBW) were analyzed. The incidence of LBW in this study was (10.04%). LBW was more common in female (n=84) than in male (n=77) babies. However, this difference was statistically insignificant. Among different risk factors maternal age (p<0.05), parity (P = 0.0167), income of family (P = 0.0190), has a statically significant association with incidence of LBW. The gestational age of mother, maternal occupation, degree of illiteracy was found to affect the incidence of LBW babies, however the difference was found to be statistically insignificant for LBW. Birth interval less than three years and low hemoglobin level (P<0.0260) was found to have a significant association with LBW babies.Conclusion:LBW a common problem in Pakistan is an important factor for perinatal mortality and morbidity. Among different risk factors maternal age, parity, income of family, gestational age of mother, maternal occupation, degree of illiteracy, birth interval less than three years were found to be the important risk factors contributing to LBW babies born in Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayad Al- Nayan Hospital Muzaffarabad.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in the Southeast of Iran.

Background:The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of low birth weight (LBW) in the Southeast of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out in Kerman province. Data were collected from Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network at public and private hospitals. All live births from March 2014 to March 2015 considered as the source population. The risk factors including maternal age, gravida, parity, abortion, pregnancy risk factors, maternal nationality, maternal education, maternity insurance, place of living, consanguinity, neonate sex, preterm labor, place of birth, delivery manager, and delivery type were compared between LBW and normal birth weight groups.Results:The prevalence of LBW was 9.4% in the present study. Preterm labor (odds ratio [OR]: 22.06; P < 0.001), neonate female sex (OR: 1.41; P < 0.001), low parity (OR: 0.85; P < 0.001), pregnancy age <18 years (OR: 1.26; P = 0.012), pregnancy age >35 years (OR: 1.21; P = 0.001), delivery by cesarean section (OR: 1.17; P = 0.002), pregnancy risk factors (OR: 1.67; P < 0.001), maternal illiteracy (OR: 1.91; P < 0.001), living in the rural area (OR: 1.19; P < 0.001), consanguineous (OR: 1.08; P = 0.025), and delivery by obstetrician (OR: 1.12; P = 0.029) were identified as significant factors associated with LBW in this study.Conclusions:Prevention of preterm labor, consanguineous marriage, pregnancy age <18 and >35 years old, and maternal medical risk factors are some critical interventions to reduce its burden. Increasing the access to high-quality health-care services in rural and deprived areas is another effective strategy for the prevention of LBW.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight among Term Newborns in Adwa General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia.

Background. World health organization estimates that 25 million LBW babies are born annually worldwide and 95% occur in developing countries. Objective. To assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among term neonates delivered in Adwa Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among neonates delivered in Adwa Hospital. All live births delivered from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016, were included in this study. The study participants were selected through systematic sampling technique and the data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was entered to Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. To identify independent predictors, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regressions were employed. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to determine the strength of association. Results. The prevalence of term low birth weight was 10%. The risk factors were mothers aged less than 20 years, mothers whose pregnancy was desired, mothers with a history of abortion, and mothers with normal hemoglobin, iron with folic acid, and HIV status. Conclusion. The burden of LBW obtained in this study was in the same range as in some other countries.