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Low birth weight in a heterogenic population.
S Mor-Yosef1, Y Ezra, A Samueloff
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospitals, Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Low birth weight (LBW) affects infant mortality and disability risks. Maternal age, parity, and hypertension significantly influence LBW rates, with hypertension posing the highest risk.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical determinant of infant mortality and long-term disability.
- Understanding factors influencing LBW is crucial for public health interventions and resource allocation.
- The Israeli population presents a unique demographic for studying LBW determinants due to diverse cultural backgrounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to low birth weight (LBW) rates in a large cohort.
- To compare LBW rates across different ethnic and cultural groups within Israel.
- To identify specific maternal and pregnancy-related risk factors for LBW.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 22,815 delivery records.
- Comparison of LBW rates between Jewish and non-Jewish populations.
- Statistical evaluation of maternal age, parity, and hypertensive disorders as risk factors.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in LBW rates was observed between Jewish and non-Jewish groups.
- LBW rates increased with maternal age extremes (under 24 and over 40 years).
- Primiparity (first birth) and hypertensive disorders significantly elevated LBW risk, with severe preeclampsia showing the highest association (47.1%).
Conclusions:
- Maternal age, parity, and hypertensive disorders are significant determinants of low birth weight.
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly severe preeclampsia, represent critical risk factors for LBW.
- While ethnic/cultural background showed no difference, specific obstetric factors require targeted attention to reduce LBW.