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Risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation: results of a community-based study from Karachi
F F Fikree1, H W Berendes, F Midhet
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Insights
Intrauterine growth retardation affects 25.4% of births in Karachi, Pakistan. Key risk factors include low maternal education, poor housing, primiparity, consanguinity, and low maternal weight.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited community-based data exists on low birthweight and intrauterine growth retardation in Pakistan.
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes pose significant public health challenges in developing regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and identify socioeconomic and biological risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in Karachi, Pakistan.
- To provide community-based evidence on adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective community-based study was conducted in four squatter settlements of Karachi.
- Data was collected on 755 singleton births, analyzing birthweight in relation to gestational age.
- Statistical analysis identified risk factors using relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Main Results:
- The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was 25.4% (192 births).
- Significant socioeconomic risk factors included low maternal education (RR=1.4) and poor housing material (RR=1.7).
- Key biological factors identified were primiparity (RR=1.9), consanguinity (RR=1.4), short maternal stature (RR=2.2), low maternal weight (RR=2.0), and non-vegetarian diet (RR=2.3).
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is highly prevalent in the studied Karachi population.
- Socioeconomic and biological factors significantly contribute to IUGR, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
- Further research is ongoing to assess the mortality and morbidity associated with IUGR in this population.
Abstract:
There is a serious lack of community-based information on low birthweight or intrauterine growth retardation from Pakistan. A community based prospective study was conducted in four squatter settlements of Karachi, to examine the prevalence and risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome. This paper reports on the prevalence and risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation (<10th percentile birthweight gestational age) among 755 singleton births. The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was 25.4% (192 intrauterine growth retarded and 563 appropriate for gestational age). Major socioeconomic risk factors identified were low maternal education (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0,2.1) and poor housing material (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0,3.0). Among the significant biologic factors, primiparity (RR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4,2.7), consanguinity (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.4,2.7), consanguinity (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1,1.8), short birth to CI = 1.1,2.1), short stature (RR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.6,3.0), low maternal weight (RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.6,2.5) and non-vegetarian diet (RR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.3,4.2) were especially important. Investigations to assess the adverse mortality and morbidity effects of intrauterine growth retardation are ongoing.