Prevalence Of Low Birth Weight Research Articles

Prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factors: Hospital based cross sectional study in Nepal.

Low birth weight is still an important public health problem worldwide. It is a major contributor to neonatal death in developing countries, including Nepal. The government of Nepal has developed and implemented different programs to improve maternal and neonatal health, including baby's birth weight. However, low birth weight is a major maternal and child health challenge. Maternal factors determining the birth weight of neonates have been poorly assessed in previous studies in Nepal. Thus, this study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with low birth weight in Nepal. An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Paropakar Maternity Hospital and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital of Kathmandu district among 308 postnatal mothers. The data was collected through the face-to-face interview technique. The data was entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package and Service Solutions version 21 for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain an adjusted odds ratio, while p-value < 0.05 with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was considered significant. The findings showed that 15.3% of the children had low birth weight. The mean and standard deviation of childbirth weight was 2.96±0.59 kg. Mothers belonged to Dalit ethnic (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2-7.1), Antenatal Care visited three or fewer (AOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.0-6.6) and did not comply with Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.0-4.4) were significantly associated with low birth weight. Nearly one in every six children had low birth weight. Maternal health services such as antenatal care and compliance with a recommended dose of maternal micronutrients significantly impact on birth weight. Maternal and neonatal health programs should consider these factors to reduce adverse birth outcomes in Nepal.

Association of geographic distribution and birth weight with sociodemographic factors of the maternal and newborn child of hilly and mountain regions of eastern Nepal: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo determine the association of geographic distribution, and birth weight with sociodemographic factors of the maternal and newborn child of hilly region (lower altitude) and mountain region (high altitude) of...

Spatial analysis of the association between area deprivation and neonatal outcomes in an ethnically diverse maternal cohort in England: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundMaternal socioeconomic disadvantage and ethnic minority status are linked to increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Neighbourhoods are structural and contextual conditions in which babies are born, but associations between area deprivation and neonatal outcomes in ethnically diverse areas are seldom examined. We examined spatial variations in neonatal outcomes using area deprivation at small-area levels in an ethnically diverse maternal cohort in the east of England. MethodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study using routinely collected anonymous data of singleton births between April 1, 2015, and Feb 28, 2022, in a UK National Health Service maternity unit. Primary outcomes were low birthweight (ie, under 2500g) and preterm birth (ie, before 37 weeks of gestation). We did geospatial analyses of maternal residence postcode areas to understand associations between primary outcomes and area deprivation based on 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation using generalised linear regression, optimised hotspot, and spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran's I) in ArcGIS Pro 3.0.2. FindingsOf 36 359 singleton births, 12 491 (34·4%) were to mothers from Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi backgrounds. The prevalence of low birthweight (3319 [9·1%] of 36 359) and preterm birth (3147 [8·7%] of 36 359) was higher than the national average (6·8% and 7·4%, respectively). Low birthweight varied across Indices of Multiple Deprivation deciles, from 4 (3·9%) of 103 in the least deprived areas to 48 (10·5%) of 456 in the most deprived areas, with significant clustering in the most deprived areas (Moran's I 0·061; p<0·0001). Mean birthweight differed by 228g between the least (3402g) and most (3174g) deprived areas. An inverse linear association between birthweight and area deprivation was evident (R2 0·18). Preterm birth varied from 7 (6·8%) of 103 in the least deprived areas to 45 (9·9%) of 456 in the most deprived areas, but showed no significant association with area deprivation (R2 0·06). InterpretationNeonates born to mothers in the most deprived areas of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods are more likely to have adverse outcomes, particularly low birthweight, highlighting the need for targeted primary and secondary interventions. Spatial analysis of routine data can be used to examine health inequalities at the small-area level to inform spatially targeted resources. FundingWellbeing of Women, in partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing (grant reference RG2245).

DETERMINANTS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN URBAN AREA OF INDONESIA: ANALYSIS OF THE 2017 INDONESIAN DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY

In developing countries, low birth weight (LBW) is still considered a major public health problem among infants. The national prevalence of LBW in Indonesia is quite high and ranked 6th for LBW cases among countries in Southeast Asia. This paper aimed to study the determinant of LBW especially in the urban area of Indonesia due to the wide availability of household survey data and the limited research of LBW with a large number of samples. This study used the latest data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). A bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test and a multivariate analysis tested by logistic regression was done. As many as 7,321 women of childbearing age-aged 15-49 years from the urban areas were selected as the final sample. A number of 6.7% of infants were born with LBW with a mean birth weight of 3,677 grams. This study showed a significant relationship between birth interval and maternal complication and LBW (OR:0.74; OR:2.21). Women’s level of education also appeared to be significantly related to LBW (OR:0.82). The conclusion of the study was that birth interval, maternal complications, and mother’s education level were closely related to LBW. Therefore, collaboration between health services, health centers, government sectors, and academicians is needed to provide standard ANC services followed by routine maternal health education is expected to reduce LBW numbers in urban areas of Indonesia.

Low birth weight and its associated factors in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia

IntroductionLow birth weight is a global public health problem, with 15–20% of all births globally, described by weight at birth of less than 2500 g ensuing fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, poor cognitive growth, and an increased risk of chronic diseases later in life. The prevalence is critical in East Africa where about 11% have low birth weight out of 54% of neonates whose weight was measured at birth. There are many causes of low birth weight, including early induction of labor or cesarean birth, multiple pregnancies, infections, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Moreover, socioeconomic factors and unhealthy dietary habits could contribute to low birth weight in areas with poor intake of a diversified diet. This study has indicated the association between poor dietary diversity and low birth weight in the study area for the first time.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on eligible 423 pregnant women recruited from Gestational Age of less than 17 weeks until delivery where the birth outcomes were recorded in health institutions in randomly selected five Woredas in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia from June 2019 to December 2020. Questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-economic-demographic, dietary diversity scores, and food consumption scores.ResultsThe study found a prevalence of low birth weight of 9.6%, low dietary diversity score of 53.2%, low food consumption score of 19.7%, and preterm delivery of 9.1%. Ever attended school and a higher level of education (diploma and above) decreased the risk of low birth weight with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 0.149 (0.024, 0.973) P ≤ 0.042; 0.059 (0.007, 0.513) P ≤ 0.007; whereas low dietary diversity score group and low food consumption group increased the risk of low birth weight with AOR 2.425 (1.342, 6.192) P ≤ 0.011and 2.983 (1.956, 9.084) P ≤ 0.044 respectively.Conclusion and recommendationParticipants with no formal education, no diploma, and above (no college or university training/degree), low diversity score group, and low food consumption group had an increased risk of low birth weight. Therefore the use of a diversified diet, educating women to a higher educational level, and health education on the intake of a diversified food rich in multiple micronutrients are recommended as strategies that will ameliorate the occurrence of low birth weight.

Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of low birth weight and its associated determinants in Bangladesh.

Background and objectiveLow birth weight (LBW) is a major risk factor of child mortality and morbidity during infancy (0–3 years) and early childhood (3–8 years) in low and lower-middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. LBW is a vital public health concern in Bangladesh. The objective of the research was to investigate the socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of LBW among singleton births and identify the significantly associated determinants of singleton LBW in Bangladesh.Materials and methodsThe data utilized in this research was derived from the latest nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2017–18, and included a total of 2327 respondents. The concentration index (C-index) and concentration curve were used to investigate the socioeconomic inequality in LBW among the singleton newborn babies. Additionally, an adjusted binary logistic regression model was utilized for calculating adjusted odds ratio and p-value (<0.05) to identify the significant determinants of LBW.ResultsThe overall prevalence of LBW among singleton births in Bangladesh was 14.27%. We observed that LBW rates were inequitably distributed across the socioeconomic groups (C-index: -0.096, 95% confidence interval: [-0.175, -0.016], P = 0.029), with a higher concentration of LBW infants among mothers living in the lowest wealth quintile (poorest). Regression analysis revealed that maternal age, region, maternal education level, wealth index, height, age at 1st birth, and the child’s aliveness (alive or died) at the time of the survey were significantly associated determinants of LBW in Bangladesh.ConclusionIn this study, socioeconomic disparity in the prevalence of singleton LBW was evident in Bangladesh. Incidence of LBW might be reduced by improving the socioeconomic status of poor families, paying special attention to mothers who have no education and live in low-income households in the eastern divisions (e.g., Sylhet, Chittagong). Governments, agencies, and non-governmental organizations should address the multifaceted issues and implement preventive programs and policies in Bangladesh to reduce LBW.

Malaria in pregnancy control and pregnancy outcomes: a decade’s overview using Ghana’s DHIMS II data

BackgroundMalaria in pregnancy control interventions have been implemented through antenatal care services for more than 2 decades in Ghana. The uptake of these interventions has seen steady improvement over the years. This has occurred within the context of decreasing global trends of malaria infection confirmed by decreasing malaria in pregnancy prevalence in Ghana. However, not much is known about how these improvements in interventions uptake and reduction in malaria infection prevalence have impacted pregnancy outcomes in the country. This study aimed at describing trends of maternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence and uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions over the last decade using data from Ghana’s District Health Information Management System (DHIMS II).MethodsData from Ghana’s DHIMS II on variables of interest covering the period 2012 to 2021 was analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 365. Results were computed as averages and percentages and presented in tables and graphs.ResultsThe prevalence of maternal anaemia at booking and at term and low birth weight increased marginally from 31.0%, 25.5% and 8.5% in 2012 to 36.6%, 31.9% and 9.5% in 2021 respectively. Severe anaemia prevalence at booking and at term remained under 2% over the study period. Women making at least 4 ANC visits, receiving at least 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria and an insecticide-treated net increased from 77.0%, 41.4% and 4.1% in 2012 to 82%, 55.0% and 93.3% in 2021, respectively. Malaria test positivity rate reduced from 54.0% to 34.3% between 2014 and 2021 while women receiving iron and folate supplementation for 3 and 6 months rose from 43.0% and 25.5% to 89.7% and 61.8%, respectively between 2017 and 2021.ConclusionMaternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence showed marginal upward trends over the last decade despite reduced malaria infection rate and improved uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions. There is room for improvement in current intervention implementation levels but the complex and multi-factorial aetiologies of maternal anaemia and low birth weight need urgent investigation and quantification to inform policy and practice.

Low birth weight in Angola and its socioeconomic determinants

Abstract Background In low-income nations, low birth weight (LBW) is still a major public health concern, which accounts for 96.5 % of global LBW cases. Any newborn weighing less than 2500g is considered LBW, which is associated with a 20-fold increase in the chance of dying during infancy. Despite the severity of the problem, in Sub-Saharan Africa the high rates of LBW have not diminished in the recent decade. The goal of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of LBW and its risk factors in Angola, as there is a pressing need to address LBW and its substantial health and social implications. Methods We used secondary data from the Angola Children’s Record Database of Demographic and Health Survey from 2015 to 2016. A binomial logistic regression model was used to investigate the prevalence of LBW and its related risk variables. Results From the 3738 children selected, 9.2% were born with LBW. The complete lack of formal maternal education (p = 0.011; adjOR=4.56, 95%CI 1.41-14.74), the absence of maternal iron supplementation during pregnancy (p = 0.017; adjOR=1.42, 95%CI 1.07-1.89) and women living in rural areas (p = 0.016; adjOR=1.37, 95%CI 1.06-1.78) were associated with LBW. Conclusions Education appears to have a significant impact on LBW, emphasizing the importance of addressing literacy in Public Health policies. Lack of iron supplementation and rural residence can also be used as indicators of poor health-care access. Understanding the factors informs decision-makers and should pave the way for more targeted intervention and more efficient LBW policy. Key messages • Intervention in socioeconomic factors and health access during pregnancy might have a high impact on the LBW problem. • Addressing literacy as a major health determinant can guide a more efficient policy making and help stakeholders target their interventions.

Late antenatal care initiation and neonatal outcomes in an ethnically diverse maternal cohort

Abstract Background Ethnic minority status and maternal socio-economic deprivation are linked to delayed access to health care during pregnancy. The link between late antenatal care initiation and neonatal outcomes in settings with high ethnic diversity and social disadvantage is seldom explored. This study examined associations between late antenatal care initiation (first antenatal appointment &amp;gt;12 weeks gestation) and neonatal outcomes of preterm birth (&amp;lt;37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (&amp;lt;2500 g) in an ethnically diverse socially disadvantaged maternal cohort. Methods A retrospective cross sectional study using routinely collected anonymous data of singleton births between April 2007 - March 2016 from a large UK National Health Service maternity unit in an ethnically diverse, socially disadvantaged area. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between late antenatal care initiation and prevalence of preterm birth and low birth weight. Results Of the 46,307 singleton births recorded, more than one third (34.8%) were to mothers from Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi mothers. Gestational week at first antenatal appointment was available for 99.31% births among which 79.2% had their first appointment at ≤ 12 weeks, 12% at 13-20 weeks, and 8.8% at &amp;gt; 20 weeks. Mothers who booked at 13+ weeks were significantly more likely to have a preterm and/or low birth weight baby. Compared to mothers who booked at ≤ 12 weeks, those booking at &amp;gt; 20 weeks were 4.08 times (95% CI: 3.29,5.07) as likely to have an extremely preterm baby (&amp;lt;28 weeks of gestation) and 3.12 (CI 2.66, 3.67) times as likely to have a baby born with extremely low birthweight (&amp;lt;1500g). Conclusions Mothers in ethnically diverse socially deprived areas who started antenatal care late were at increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Targeted intervention programmes and services are needed to support these mothers. Key messages

Estimation Of Low Birth Weight Risk In Indonesia: What Is The Most Appropriate Intervention?

Background: The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) in the world (20%) and in Indonesia is still high (12.4%). The importance of efforts to reduce the incidence of LBW is written in the global nutrition targets for 2025. &#x0D; Methods: The study design in this study was quantitative using the data set 'Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) of 2017. The samples included in the research process were 13,269 samples with probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling technique. The research instrument was based on a modified DHS VII questionnaire. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC).&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of LBW in Indonesia is 7% [95% CI: 6.6, 7.5]. The final model for determining low birth weight after controlling for confounding was gemelli P&lt;0.001 [OR: 22,428; 95% CI: 14,145, 35,561], history of pregnancy complications P&lt;0.001 [OR: 1,906; 95% CI: 1.569, 2.315], education level P=0.002 [OR: 1.581; 95% CI: 1.180, 2.117], economic status P&lt;0.001 [OR: 1.509; 95% CI: 1.225, 1.859], and gestational interval P=0.016 [OR: 1.401; 95% CI: 1,066, 1,842]. The minimum probability of the prediction model is 2.8%-80.5% [AUC = 0.638; Sensitivity = 0.074; Specificity = 0.996].&#x0D; Conclusion: Diagnostic performance with ROC evaluation on a predictive model of LBW determinant has very high specificity power. Mothers with gemelli status need to be the focus to reduce the risk of low birth weight.

Psychological Well-being of Mothers with Low Birth Weight (LBW) Infants Using DASS-21 Scales

Introduction: Every pregnant mother want their baby normal and healthy when is born. As a consequence, when their infants were premature and LBW, requiring hospitalization, especially in the NICU or SCN, it turned into a stressful situation that could lead to psychological suffering and emotional breakdown. Currently, research in Malaysia focuses on the prevalence of LBW; however, insufficient research on the psychological well-being of mothers with LBW has been conducted. Method: A cross-sectional study design with 130 respondents was selected using convenience sampling at SCN, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab 11, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The DASS-21 scale was used. Result: A Chi-Square was performed and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. For depression, the percentage of mothers reporting symptoms on the DASS-21 scales in the mild group was 18 (13.8 %), moderate at 20 (15.4 %), and severe at 4 (3.1 %), respectively. Anxiety was prominent in the mild group at 11(8.5 %), moderate at 39(30.0%), severe at 14(10.8 %), and extremely severe at 12(9.2 % ). Meanwhile, mild stress symptoms were reported by 29 (22.3 %), moderate by 15 (11.5 %), and severe by 6 (4.6 %). The association between maternal age and anxiety (p=0.036), maternal age, and stress (p=0.041) was shown to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The majority of respondents in this study had anxiety rather than depression or stress. The study’s information will help healthcare practitioners in developing effective intervention strategies to address the issue of psychological well-being among mothers of LBW infants.

Hubungan Berat Badan, Lila Dan Tekanan Darah Pada Ibu Terhadap Kejadian BBLR Di PMB Lina, Menteng Atas, Jakarta Selatan Tahun 2021

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g regardless of gestational age. It is an important marker of maternal, fetal and nutritional health.3 Globally, it is estimated that 15% of all births are LBW, representing more than 20.5 million births a year.4 Most LBW births occur in low- and middle-income countries. WHO in 2020 there are 2.4 million children who die in the first month of a child's life. Around 6,700 babies die at birth every day, even 47% of them die before the age of 5 years. Sub-Saharan Africa has a neonatal mortality rate of 27 (25-32) deaths per 1000 live births. The prevalence of low birth weight is estimated at 15% worldwide with a range of 3.3 to 38% and mostly occurs in developing countries. Disability in infancy, childhood, even morbidity and even death is one of the factors of Low Birth Weight. LBW can even have a long impact on health into adulthood. The consequences of poor nutritional status and inadequate nutritional intake for women during pregnancy not only directly affect women's health status, but also have a negative impact on birth weight and early development. Lack of nutritional intake in mothers during pregnancy, can be one of the causes of births in babies with a baby's birth weight. Low Birth Weight (LBW) is the highest contributor to infant mortality. Methods: This research is descriptive using cross sectional method which aims to obtain information about the relationship between body weight and blood pressure of pregnant women with the incidence of LBW by using medical records with samples using a total sampling of 120 pregnant women. Results: Statistical test results obtained p value 0.007, known p value &gt; 0.05, which means that there is no significant relationship between weight gain and the incidence of LBW. LILA and LBW also have no relationship with the p value of 0.296, and the statistical test results obtained a p value of 1,000. It is known that the p value &gt; 0.05, which means that there is no significant relationship between blood pressure and the incidence of LBW. Discussion: Although the results do not show a relationship between the three variables with low birth weight, this is because there are factors that help, namely the mother's adherence to taking 120 tablets of Fe during pregnancy, thus helping the mother in maintaining physical health for pregnant women.

Factors associated with low birth weight among tribal and non-tribal population in India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–2016)

The tribal population (8.6%) is vulnerable to neonatal mortality and morbidity in India. Birth weight is an important decisive factor for most neonatal survival and postnatal development. The present study aims to compare the prevalence and associations of certain socio-economic, demographic, and lifestyle variables with low birth weight (LBW) among tribal and non-tribal populations in India. The present investigation utilized retrospective data of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16) among tribal (N=26635) and non-tribal (N=142162) populations in India. Birth weight variation of the newborn was categorized into LBW (&lt;2500 gm) and NBW (≥2500 gm). ANOVA, chi-square (χ2) analysis, and binary logistic regression (BLR) were applied using SPSS (version 16.0). The prevalence of LBW was higher in non-tribal (17.2%) than tribal (13.5%), and the population-specific birth weight was significantly higher in tribal than non-tribal population (p&lt;0.01). Higher tribal population concentration (47.0%) areas has a lower (7.4%) prevalence of LBW in the northeast zone, whereas greater non-tribal population concentration (27.1%) areas was found higher in the central zone (19.2%). The BLR analysis showed that rural habitat, lower educational attainment, lack of own sanitary toilet facility, a lower wealth index, absence of electricity, high pollutant fuel exposure, Hindu and Muslim religion, elevated maternal age at first birth, maternal anemia as well as home delivery of newborn have greater odds for LBW (p&lt;0.05). In India, tribal populations are vulnerable and marginalised; their birth weight is significantly higher than that of non-tribals, and they have a lower prevalence of LBW and higher female birth rates. Mother’s socio-economic status and perceptions towards hygiene and better lifestyles acquired by educational upliftment positively affect the birth weight of the newborn in both the tribal and non-tribal population in India.

Household Food Insecurity and Demographic Factors, Low Birth Weight and Stunting in Early Childhood: Findings from a Longitudinal Study in South Africa

BackgroundLow birthweight (LBW) as well as early childhood stunting are risk factors for increased childhood morbidity in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). The Covid 19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity and unemployment globally, prompting concerns for maternal and child health.ObjectivesWe used data from the great recession of 2008 to examine the relationship between household food security and other risk factors with LBW and stunting using a longitudinal sample of South African women and their offspring.MethodsFood security indicators, alcohol use, blood pressure and other characteristics were examined in relation to LBW (≤ 2500 g), stunting (height for age ≤ 2SD) and severe stunting (height for age ≤ 3SD). Regression modelling with clustering at maternal ID level were employed to adjust for maternal characteristics and women who gave birth more than once during the reference period.ResultsBirthweight data were available for 1173 children and height for age 1216 children. The prevalence of LBW was 14.7% while stunting and severe stunting was 17.8% and 14.5%. Child hunger in the household, maternal hypertension and alcohol use were associated with low birthweight. Food expenditure below the Stats SA poverty line and low dietary diversity was associated with stunting and severe stunting respectively. Maternal height and low birthweight were associated with both stunting and severe stunting.Conclusions for PracticeInterventions that can improve household food security and nutritional status during the periconceptional and antenatal period may reduce the prevalence of low birthweight and subsequent stunting in low- and middle-income countries.

Epidemiological Pattern of Births from the Largest Surveillance Database of Live Births in Brazil "SINASC" before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Brazilian Amazon

The surveillance of live births in Brazil has been carried out since 1990 by the Information System on Live Births (SINASC), which was implemented by the Ministry of Health aiming at standardized registration on a national level. The state of Pará is part of the Brazilian Amazon, northern Brazil, which has several unique characteristics. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the epidemiological pattern of live births before and during the pandemic of COVID-19 in the state of Pará, 2016 to 2020. This is an ecological epidemiological time-series study, using epidemiological surveillance data from DATASUS, referring to the Live Births Information System (SINASC). These are data that have been treated by surveillance and are in aggregate format. The study population is the live births residing in the state of Pará, in the period from 2016 to 2020. The data collection instrument was the Declaration of Live Births (DLB). There were 689,454 live births, and the highest rates of births were and continued to remain in the Marajó II, Baixo Amazonas, Xingu, and Tapajós regions. The Metropolitan I and Araguaia regions were and continue to be the lowest rates in the state. Age of the mother 15 to 19 years old 22.29%, 20 to 24 years old 30.05% and 25 to 29 years old 22.58%, most of the single pregnancy type 98.32%, prenatal consultations, performed 7 or more 48.10%, followed by 4 to 6 consultations 33.98%, most presented 7 or more years of the study 48.10%, followed by 3 to 6 years 33.98%. Represented 51.21% male and 48.77% female. The occurrence of congenital anomalies represented 0.52% of live births. Another congenital malformation and deformity were the most prevalent at 25.53%, followed by Congenital deformities of the feet 14.90%, Other congenital malformations of the nervous system 14.84%, and Other congenital malformations 10.77%, Cleft lip, and cleft palate 8.88%, Other congenital malformations digestive tract 8.10%. The demographic transition has already occurred for several decades, including the reduction of fertility and birth rate, so our study showed that the reduction in the number of live births was already a reality in the country, but we emphasize that this reduction was enhanced by the pandemic. We observed greater adherence to prenatal care and a lower prevalence of low birth weight compared to other studies, but the limitation was the absence of studies in the same place of the research. Regarding data incompleteness, we emphasize the ignored fields that reflect the fragility in the surveillance of live births, which was reinforced by the literature.

The Canadian Mother-Child Cohort Active Surveillance Initiative (CAMCCO): Comparisons between Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

BackgroundGiven that pregnant women taking medications are excluded from clinical trials, real-world evidence is essential. We aimed to build a Canadian Mother-Child Cohort Active Surveillance Initiative (CAMCCO) and compare frequency of prematurity, low-birth-weight (LBW), major malformations, multiplicity, and gestational medication use across four provinces.MethodsCAMCCO is a collaborative research infrastructure that uses real-world data from large provincial health care databases in Canada; developed with standardized methods to similarly construct population-based pregnancy/child cohorts with longitudinal follow-up by linking administrative/hospital/birth databases. CAMCCO also includes a common repository to i) share algorithms and case definitions based on diagnostic and procedural codes for research/training purpose, and ii) download aggregate data relevant to primary care providers, researchers, and decision makers. For this study, data from Quebec (1998–2015), Manitoba (1995–2019), Saskatchewan (1996–2020), and Alberta (2005–2018) are compared (Chi-square tests, p-values), and trends are calculated using Cochran-Armitage trend tests.ResultsAlmost two-thirds (61%) of women took medications during pregnancy, mostly antibiotics (26%), asthma drugs (8%), and antidepressants (4%). Differences in the prevalence of prematurity (5.9–6.8%), LBW (4.0–5.2%), and multiplicity (1.0–2.5%) were statistically significant between provinces (p<0.001). Frequency of major malformations increased over time in Quebec (7–11%; p<0.001), Saskatchewan (5–11%; p<0.001), and Alberta (from 7–8%; p<0.001), and decreased in Manitoba (5–3%; p<0.001). Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal malformations were the most prevalent.InterpretationMedications are often used among Canadian pregnancies but adverse pregnancy outcomes vary across provinces. Digitized health data may help researchers and care providers understand the risk-benefit ratios related to gestational medication use, as well as province-specific trends.

Association of infertility cause with perinatal outcomes in a freeze-all policy: an analysis including 10,151 singleton newborns

In vitro fertilization-conceived babies, even singletons, are at a higher risk of poor birth outcomes such as low birthweight and preterm birth than naturally conceived counterparts. It remains unclear as to what extent these adverse outcomes are attributed to the underlying causes of infertility. Evidence on this topic is scarce and has mainly focused on fresh embryo transfer cycles. This study aimed to investigate the effect of infertility cause on perinatal outcomes when a freeze-all strategy is applied. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving singleton live births born to women who had undergone frozen-thawed embryo transfer during the period from January 2014 to December 2019 at a single center. Subjects were categorized into 7 groups as follows according to the sole cause of infertility: tubal disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, diminished ovarian reserve, uterine factor infertility, endometriosis, male factor, and unexplained infertility. The perinatal outcomes evaluated were as follows: birthweight, newborn gender, gestational age, preterm birth, low birthweight, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, and macrosomia. Multivariable regression analyses were introduced to control for several important confounders, with unexplained infertility as a reference group. A total of 10,151 women were included for the final analysis. The most common maternal infertility diagnosis of the entire cohort was tubal disorder (42.5%), followed by diminished ovarian reserve (9.5%), endometriosis (9.4%), polycystic ovary syndrome (5.7%), and uterine factor infertility (1.6%). Male factor infertility was present in 19.8% of cycles, and infertility was diagnosed as unexplained in 11.4% of cycles. In the unadjusted analyses, the prevalence of low birthweight (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-3.38) and preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-2.92) was higher among singletons in the polycystic ovary syndrome group than in those from the unexplained infertility group. However, these differences were no longer significant after correction for parental characteristics, treatment variables, and pregnancy complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-2.28 for preterm birth; adjusted odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-2.91 for low birthweight). The risks of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-4.63) and low birthweight (adjusted odds ratio, 3.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-6.90) with uterine factor infertility were significantly increased vs the reference group in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. In addition, the perinatal outcomes in women with other infertility causes were comparable with unexplained infertility in terms of the rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, and macrosomia. With the exception of uterine factor infertility, other infertility causes do not seem to compromise perinatal outcomes when compared with unexplained infertility in a freeze-all approach. With the ever-increasing use of frozen-thawed embryo transfer globally, our data hold relevant clinical implications, as they can guide physicians in patient counseling.

Perinatal Health Inequalities in the Industrial Region of Estonia: A Birth Registry-Based Study.

Despite the increasing number of studies on industrially contaminated sites (ICS) and their health effects, there are very few studies on perinatal health outcomes in ICSs. In the present study, we examined the perinatal health inequalities by comparing adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) in the oil shale industry region of Ida-Viru County in Estonia with national-level figures and investigated the effects of maternal environmental and sociodemographic factors. Based on the 208,313 birth records from 2004–2018, Ida-Viru ICS has a birth weight 124.5 g lower than the average of 3544 g in Estonia. A higher prevalence of preterm birth (4.3%) and low birth weight (4.8%) in Ida-Viru ICS is found compared to 3.3% on both indicators at the national level. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows the statistically significant association of ABOs with fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution, mother’s ethnicity, and education throughout Estonia. However, in Ida-Viru ICS, the ABOs odds are remarkably higher in these characteristics except for the mother’s ethnicity. Furthermore, the ABOs are associated with the residential proximity to ICS. Thus, the Ida-Viru ICS has unequally higher odds of adverse perinatal health across the environmental and sociodemographic factors. In addition to reducing the air pollutants, policy actions on social disparities are vital to address the country’s unjustly higher perinatal health inequalities, especially in the Ida-Viru ICS.

Determinants of Low Birth Weight among Term Babies at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major contributor to the global burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is important to identify the significant determinants of LBW, mainly among term babies, who should have achieved optimal weight gain before delivery to reduce the burden of LBW. Objectives: To determine the Prevalence of LBW among term babies delivered in a Nigerian hospital and the socio-demographic and clinical correlates of LBW. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among two hundred and twenty-seven term babies and their mothers at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro (SHHL), Abeokuta, Nigeria, between November 2017 and February 2018. Results: The Prevalence of LBW was 4.4 %. Over 90% of the mothers were educated, married and employed. There was a significant association between term-LBW and maternal booking BMI, anaemia at booking, multiple pregnancies, alcohol intake in pregnancy and paternal level of education. Underweight booking BMI, anaemia at booking, and low paternal level of education were independent predictors of term-LBW. Conclusions: The Prevalence of term-LBW babies in this study was relatively low. Aside from multiple pregnancies, the other main determinants of LBW include modifiable parental socioeconomic factors. Further reduction in term LBW can be achieved by improving parental education and enhancing maternal health through pre-conception care.

Machine learning algorithms for predicting low birth weight in Ethiopia

BackgroundBirth weight is a significant determinant of the likelihood of survival of an infant. Babies born at low birth weight are 25 times more likely to die than at normal birth weight. Low birth weight (LBW) affects one out of every seven newborns, accounting for about 14.6 percent of the babies born worldwide. Moreover, the prevalence of LBW varies substantially by region, with 7.2 per cent in the developed regions and 13.7 per cent in Africa, respectively. Ethiopia has a large burden of LBW, around half of Africa. These newborns were more likely to die within the first month of birth or to have long-term implications. These are stunted growth, low IQ, overweight or obesity, developing heart disease, diabetes, and early death. Therefore, the ability to predict the LBW is the better preventive measure and indicator of infant health risks.MethodThis study implemented predictive LBW models based on the data obtained from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016. This study was employed to compare and identify the best-suited classifier for predictive classification among Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Naive Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbor, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine, Gradient Boosting, and Extreme Gradient Boosting.ResultsData preprocessing is conducted, including data cleaning. The Normal and LBW are the binary target category in this study. The study reveals that RF was the best classifier and predicts LBW with 91.60 percent accuracy, 91.60 percent Recall, 96.80 percent ROC-AUC, 91.60 percent F1 Score, 1.05 percent Hamming loss, and 81.86 percent Jaccard score.ConclusionThe RF predicted the occurrence of LBW more accurately and effectively than other classifiers in Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey. Gender of the child, marriage to birth interval, mother’s occupation and mother’s age were Ethiopia’s top four critical predictors of low birth weight in Ethiopia.