Low birth weight in urban Harare

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Neonatalogy
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing nations.
• Understanding the incidence and causes of LBW is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) among institutional deliveries in urban Harare.
• To estimate the proportions of LBW infants who were preterm or small for gestational age (SGA).

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study conducted over three months in 1986 in urban Harare.
• Inclusion of all institutional deliveries from defined high-density suburbs and a referral hospital.
• Birth weight, gestational age (Dubowitz method), and perinatal outcomes were recorded for all neonates.

Main Results:

• A total of 2,056 births were recorded, with 223 (10.8%) classified as low birth weight.
• Among LBW infants, 44% were preterm and 37% were small for gestational age (SGA).

Conclusions:

• The incidence of LBW and SGA in urban Harare was lower than many developing countries but higher than developed country norms.
• The findings highlight the need for enhanced resources for LBW prevention and improved neonatal care in the region.