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Low birth weight at term and its determinants in a tertiary hospital of Nepal: a case-control study
Sudesh Raj Sharma1, Smith Giri2, Utsav Timalsina1
1Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Low birth weight in Nepal is linked to factors like maternal age, hard work, and poor nutrition. Addressing these can reduce infant health risks and improve survival rates for newborns.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Public Health Research
- Neonatal Studies
Background:
- Birth weight is a critical determinant of infant health and survival.
- Low birth weight (LBW) prevalence in Nepal ranges from 12-32%, highlighting a significant public health concern.
- Preventing LBW and managing affected infants can avert numerous infant deaths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in term babies born in Nepal.
- To analyze associations between maternal factors and the incidence of LBW.
- To provide evidence for targeted interventions to reduce LBW rates.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based retrospective case-control study was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
- Data collected from 155 LBW babies (cases) and 310 controls through interviews, medical record assessment, and anthropometric measurements.
- Risk factors were categorized as proximal and distal, and analyzed for association with LBW using regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant risk factors for LBW included a history of premature delivery (aOR 5.24), hard physical work during pregnancy (aOR 1.48), younger maternal age (aOR 1.98), and inadequate nutritious food consumption (aOR 1.99).
- Mothers with hemoglobin levels below 11 gm/dl showed a reduced risk (aOR 0.51), though this requires further investigation.
- These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of LBW in the Nepalese context.
Conclusions:
- Maternal factors such as age, physical exertion, nutritional status, and prior delivery history are strongly associated with LBW in Nepal.
- Interventions targeting these modifiable risk factors are crucial for decreasing the prevalence of LBW.
- Public health strategies should focus on improving maternal health and nutrition to enhance birth outcomes.
Abstract:
Birth weight of a child is an important indicator of its vulnerability for childhood illness and chances of survival. A large number of infant deaths can be averted by appropriate management of low birth weight babies and prevention of factors associated with low birth weight. The prevalence of low birth weight babies in Nepal is estimated to be about 12-32%.Our study aimed at identifying major determinants of low birth weight among term babies in Nepal. A hospital-based retrospective case control study was conducted in maternity ward of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from February to July 2011. A total of 155 LBW babies and 310 controls were included in the study. Mothers admitted to maternity ward during the study period were interviewed, medical records were assessed and anthropometric measurements were done. Risk factors, broadly classified into proximal and distal factors, were assessed for any association with birth of low-birth weight babies. Regression analysis revealed that a history of premature delivery (adjusted odds ratio; aOR5.24, CI 1.05-26.28), hard physical work during pregnancy (aOR1.48, CI 0.97-2.26), younger age of mother (aOR1.98, CI 1.15-3.41), mothers with haemoglobin level less than 11gm/dl (aOR0.51, CI0.24-1.07) and lack of consumption of nutritious food during pregnancy (aOR1.99, CI 1.28-3.10) were significantly associated with the birth of LBW babies. These factors should be addressed with appropriate measures so as to decrease the prevalence of low birth weight among term babies in Nepal.