[Low birth weight in Maniema (Democratic Republic of Congo)]

This study sought to examine birth outcomes in the general population in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Specifically we wanted to see if the proportion of low birth-weight infants (<2,500g), including preterm infants, differed from that of most developing countries in view of the political disturbances in DRC over the past eight years.

We studied birth weight in two maternity units in the province of Maniema from November 2003 to October 2004: there were 938 births, 450 at Kama and 488 at Kipaka.

The rate of low birth weight (LBW) (<2,500g) infants was 164 per 1,000 live births at Kama and 270 per 1,000 live births at Kipaka. This rate was higher at Kipaka than at Kama, probably because commerce has improved living conditions at Kama (chi(2)=16.79, p<0.001). The study also confirmed the importance of maternal age, especially the 14-17 year age group, in low birth weight (including preterm births). The relative risk associated with this age group was 2.2 at Kama (95% CI: 1.3-3.7) and 1.5 at Kipaka (95% CI: 1.1-2.1).

These results suggest that low birth weight (including preterm birth) remains a public heath problem in DRC, as in other developing countries. They also confirm that very young mothers are most likely to have low birth-weight infants and they stress the importance of resources for preventing preterm birth and improving care of low birth-weight infants, born before or at term.