Birthweight distribution at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

To determine the birthweight distribution of singleton births at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and to determine if selected socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics that are known to be associated with birthweight would show the association in our setting.

A non-randomised cross-sectional survey of all deliveries within the study period.

Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a tertiary institution, delivering about 11,000 women a year.

From 1st November to 12th December 1994, 866 singleton normally formed livebirths and fresh stillbirths were sequentially enrolled.

Data sources were the antenatal and delivery records of the subjects and an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

The mean birthweight for the total sample was 3070 g +/- 616 g. One hundred and fifteen (13.3%) babies were low birthweight. The mean birthweight for those with reliable dates and born at term was 3262 g +/- 488.8 g. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lack of antenatal malaria chemoprophylaxis and a history of previous low birthweight to be significantly associated with low birthweight.

Although the mean birthweight of Korle-Bu babies was lower than those of USA and UK babies, it was comparable with those from other developing countries. Antenatal malaria chemoprophylaxis is a practical intervention that can produce an increase in mean birthweight and reduce the risk of low birthweight in our population.