Mean birth weight and the risk factors for low birth weight among delivery at term

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of Low Birth Weight (LBW) specifically at term, and concurrently, to investigate the prevalence of various associated risk factors contributing to LBW occurrences.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study, carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, spanned from January 2023 to July 2023. The inclusion criteria comprised singleton pregnancies with a gestational age of 37 completed weeks, while exclusion criteria encompassed multiple pregnancies, in-utero death, fetal abnormalities, and maternal medical conditions such as renal disease, diabetes, hypertension, antepartum hemorrhage, cardio-respiratory disease and preterm deliveries.

Results: It was seen that majority of the patients 74.1% gave births to LBW babies had age between 20-30 years. (p=0.514). The patients 7.4% who had BMI ?25 kg/m²and gave birth to LBW babies. (p=0.663). It was also seen that 44.4% patients had >3 parity and gave birth to LBW babies. (p=652). Majority of patients 68.5% who did not had get antenatal care and gave birth to LBW babies. (p=0.845). The patients 68.5% who had mild and moderate anaemia gave birth to LBW babies. (p=0.023). Further, the male sex had predominant to LBW. (p=0.373).

Conclusion: Women with a high risk for low birth weight (LBW) can be identified based on factors such as maternal anaemia, and inadequate weight, all of which have shown significant associations with LBW.