Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight among Term Newborns in Babil Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Great importance has been attributed to birthweight all over the world because it is considered one of the best predictorsof perinatal survival and a good indicator of life quality. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factorsfor low birth weight among term babies in Babil maternity and children teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a crosssectionalstudy conducted in Babil maternity and children teaching hospital. The study was carried out in the neonatal care unit fromMarch 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. Seven hundred and fifty-four term singleton live births were included in the study. All the neonateswere checked for birth weight, and their gestational age was determined from maternal last menstrual period and early (first trimester)ultrasound examination and New Ballard score. Neonates with normal birth weight were considered as gestationally full term (≥37weeks) with birth weight 2500–4000 g. Results: Babies with normal birth weight represent 87.9% of the study sample (663 babies).The number of term neonates with low birth weight was 69/754, with 9.2% and large for gestational age represent 2.9% of the studysample (22 babies). Low birth weight of 2100–2400 g represents 6.3% of the study sample (47 babies). Low birth weight of 1500–2000 grepresents 2.9% of the study sample (22) babies. Age of mother, residency, family income, maternal education, antenatal care, badobstetrical history, illnesses during pregnancy, and parental consanguinity were considered to be risk factors for low birth weightat P values of 0.05, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.001, 0.002, and <0.001, respectively. However, gender of the baby,parity, and paternal age were not considered to be risk factors. Conclusion: The problem of low birth weight among term babies isstill common in our country. There was a higher incidence of low birth weight among term neonates in the rural areas and in motherswith low education level and those who live in families with low income. The most common associated risk factors associated with lowbirth weight were young age mothers, positive parental consanguinity, bad obstetrical history, and illnesses during pregnancy (e.g.,hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and urinary tract infection).