Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight Babies

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the maternal risk factors associated with “Low Birth Weight Babies”. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit – II Sheikh Zaid Women Hospital & CMC Larkana from 1st December 2008 till 30th November 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 300 women were included in study,150 as cases were mothers delivering alive babies at term with birth weight < 2.5 kg and 150 as control delivering babies = 2.5 kg birth weight. Maternal age, BMI, parity, education, socioeconomic status, no of antenatal visits, inter pregnancy interval and maternal anemia were recorded in both groups and results were evaluated. RESULTS: The commonest age group in both groups was 19 – 34 years, however the difference of age distribution was statistically insignificant between cases and control (P = 0.141). Proportions of primiparous women were high in cases and statistically significant association found with low birth weight (P < 0.001). Majority of women in both groups were illiterate and education was statistically insignificant between two groups (P = 0.303). In both groups low and middle socioeconomic status was predominant and statistically was an insignificant associated with LBW (P < 0.148). The proportion of women who had either no interval or less than 5 months of inter pregnancy interval was significantly higher in cases than control and revealed significant association with LBW (P = 0.009). Majority of women in both groups were anaemic and association with LBW was insignificant (P < 0.107). Low BMI (< 18.5) was significantly associated with LBW (P < 0.007). Statistically insignificant proportions of women were observed for antenatal visits throughout pregnancy. Antenatal visits were insignificantly associated with LBW (P<0.289). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that low maternal BMI, primiparity and no birth interval or interval < 5 months were significantly associated with LBW.