Low birth weight and its associated factors.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatal Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern, associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality.
• Identifying risk factors for LBW is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
• Previous studies have explored various maternal and neonatal factors, but regional variations and specific population characteristics require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in a specific urban community.
• To identify and analyze the key factors associated with the occurrence of LBW.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from 794 pregnant women and their newborns.
• Data collected included maternal demographics, pregnancy details, and newborn characteristics.
• Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression, were employed to assess associations with LBW (<2.5kg).

Main Results:

• The overall incidence of low birth weight was 7.6%.
• Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between LBW and the presence of twinning, maternal age (protective effect observed for ages 18-34 years), and cesarean section delivery.
• The median maternal age was 24 years, with 74.7% reporting cohabitation and 53.4% having 9-11 years of schooling.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms a 7.6% prevalence of low birth weight in the studied population.
• Twinning, maternal age, and cesarean delivery emerged as significant factors associated with low birth weight.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering these factors in prenatal care and risk assessment for LBW.