BACKGROUND Low birth weight (LBW) remains the main cause of mortality and morbidity in infants, and a problem in the care of pregnant women world-wide particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the socio-demographic, nutritional, reproductive, medical and obstetrical risk factors for delivering a live LBW infant at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe. METH...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in Italy. METHODS The study was carried out in a non-teaching hospital in Catanzaro (Italy). All LBW and very LBW newborns (200) were included in the study and a random sample of 400 newborns weighing > or = 2500 g was selected. Data were collected from the delivery certificates during o...

BACKGROUND Low birth weight (LBW) infants do not form a homogeneous group; LBW can be caused by prematurity or poor fetal growth manifesting as small for gestational age (SGA) infants or intrauterine growth retardation. We aimed to clarify the relationship of maternal smoking with both SGA and preterm LBW infants. METHODS The study population comprised pregnant women who registered at the Kos...

INTRODUCTION Immigrant mothers in Spain have a lower risk of delivering Low BirthWeight (LBW) babies in comparison to Spaniards (LBW paradox). This study aimed at revisiting this finding by applying a model-based threshold as an alternative to the conventional definition of LBW. METHODS Vital information data from Madrid was used (2005-2006). LBW was defined in two ways (less than 2500g and W...

BACKGROUND Maternal smoking is associated with low birthweight (LBW). LBW prevalence is increasing in the US. However, it is unclear whether a fall in maternal smoking has any impact on the LBW prevalence in Massachusetts, a state with a comprehensive tobacco control program since 1993. METHODS Temporal patterns in prenatal maternal smoking and in LBW prevalence were quantified between 1989 a...

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) children are vulnerable to infections and malnutrition leading to poor physical, mental and social development. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with LBW among Bangladeshi children. Methods: Secondary data were extracted from 8,364 married and currently nonpregnant Bangladeshi women having at least one child (age...

BACKGROUND To analyze trends in LBW (low birth weight) rate using birth registry data and identify factors associated with LBW in São Luís comparing two birth cohorts separated by a 12-year interval. METHODS 2,426 births were included in 1997/98 and 5,040 in 2010. The dependent variable was LBW (<2,500 g). Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association of independent ...

BACKGROUND Morbidity and mortality rates of low birth weight (LBW) newborns at term are higher than rates in normal birth weight (NBW) newborns. LBW newborns are at greater risk to acquire recurrent bacterial and viral infections during their first few weeks of life possibly as an outcome of compromised innate immune functions. As adaptive immunity is in a naive state, increased risk of infecti...

BACKGROUND Low birthweight (LBW) is a major predictor of early neonatal mortality which disproportionately affects low-income countries. WHO recommends regional definitions for LBW to prevent misclassifications and ensure appropriate care of babies with LBW. We conducted this study to define a clinical cut-off for LBW, and to determine the predictors and adverse foetal outcomes of LBW babies in...