[Risk factors for low birth weight]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Low birthweight (LBW) is a primary determinant of infant mortality.
• Despite declining infant mortality, LBW rates in Neuquen, Argentina, have not decreased significantly.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate risk factors associated with LBW.
• Determine the frequency of LBW in the population.
• Assess the role of prenatal care in LBW prevention.
• Develop a risk factor scale for identifying high-risk pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study using 50% of data from the Perinatal Information System (1988-1995) in Neuquen province (46,171 births).
• Analysis of birthweight distribution and potential risk factors.
• Logistic regression modeling to study the relationship between factors and LBW.
• Development and validation of an additive risk factor scale using the remaining 50% of data.

Main Results:

• No prenatal care showed the highest odds ratio (OR = 8.78) for LBW.
• Inadequate prenatal care, late first visit, preeclampsia/eclampsia, hemorrhage, placental anomalies, and prior LBW history had ORs > 2.0.
• Increased LBW risk observed in mothers over 40, under 20, single, smokers, with short interpregnancy intervals (<18 months), and low BMI (<20).
• A direct linear relationship existed between the risk scale score and LBW risk.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal care is crucial for preventing low birthweight.
• A validated risk scale can effectively identify women at high risk for delivering LBW infants.
• Addressing identified risk factors can potentially reduce LBW rates.