Association between Maternal Hemoglobin, other Maternal Attributes and Neonatal Birth Weight: A Case-control Study

Although the burden of anemia in pregnant women and its consequences on the pregnancy outcome are well documented, there is limited evidence on the association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and low birth weight (LBW) in the study area.

This study aimed to determine the association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and neonatal birth weight (BW) in Qazvin, Iran, 2018-2019.

A case-control study was conducted among 450 neonates with BW < 2500 gm (LBW) and 451 neonates with BW > 2500 gm. In this study, neonates with BW less than 2500 gm were cases, while those who were greater than 2500 gm were considered as control. Multiple logistic regression model was used to calculate OR with 95% Confidence Interval (95 % CI) to determine the association between maternal anemia and other maternal attributes and neonate BW.

Maternal hemoglobin (g/dl) was not significantly associated with neonate BW (OR: 1.03 (95 % CI: 0.58 - 1.81), p = 0.93). However, maternal initial weight (Kg) (OR: 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.94 - .098), p < 0.001), mother's age in year (OR: 1.04 (95 % CI: 1.00 - 1.09), p = 0.038), gestational age (OR: 0.49 (95 % CI: 0.43 - 0.57), p < 0.001) were significantly associated with neonatal BW.

Maternal hemoglobin concentration was not significantly associated with LBW. However, other maternal attributes such as low initial maternal weight, low gestational age, low education status and old age were significantly associated with LBW. Intervention that targeted mothers with low initial weight, low educational status and older age is required to minimize LBW among neonates in the study area.