Predictors of low birthweight delivery: a study of factors influencing birthweights

The average birth weight among the 292 infants was 3,028 (+/- 349 g). The incidence of LWB was 8.9 per cent, being predominantly SGA. There were no significant statistical differences of socioeconomic, obstetric and anthropometric variables between the mothers of the LBW and non LBW groups. Maternal height and mid arm circumference seem to be a promising predictors of LBW delivery. The decision of the cut-off points of these variables depends on the objective and the available resources. These variables should be field-tested in a wider scale before being advocated for use as predictors of LBW delivery.