Assessment of Maternal Risk Factors for Low-Birth-Weight Neonates: A Case Control Study in Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: A major factors contributing to infant deaths and morbidity is low birth weight (LBW). Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant marker for the population's general health condition and reproductive health. Maternal risk factors are controllable and vary from one region to another depending on geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors and are biologically, socially interrelated. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in kalaburagi. A total of 85 cases and 85 controls with normal birth weight. Mothers of aged 18-35 years who delivered a live-born singleton baby without any congenital abnormalities and gestational age 37-42 weeks were enrolled on the same day as delivery are eligible. Mothers who had multiple pregnancies were not eligible. Data was collected from Pre-tested survey. Results: The mean age of mothers in case and control group was 23.73 years and 5.04 years. Mean weight gain during pregnancy of mothers in case and control was 4.2 kg and 6.5 kg. Mean weight of the newborn of cases and controls was 2012 grams and3065 grams respectively. Maternal education, tobacco exposure, maternal anaemia, lower socioeconomic status (class IV+V), maternal occupation (laborer), heavy physical activity, pre term birth of baby, history of UTI were identified as significant risk factors for LBW neonates. Significant association was found between age of mother, height of mother<145 cm, pre pregnancy weight <45 kg, mean weight gain (<6.5kg), prior infant death, inadequate ANC visits, and LBW. Conclusions: Health education, socio-economic development, maternal nutrition, and increasing the use of health services during pregnancy, are all important for reducing LBW.