The Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Singleton Term Pregnancies

Ranjbar A, Mehrnoush V, Darsareh F, Jahromi SM, Shekari M and Pariafsay F

Published on: 2023-01-09

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies in various parts of the world have revealed the factors contributing to low birth weight (LBW), classified as maternal, paternal, and obstetrical factors. However, the risk factors for LBW varied greatly across geographical settings. Thus, the main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of LBW among term new born in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed singleton term pregnant mothers who gave birth at Khaleej-e-Fars Hospital (a tertiary hospital) in Bandar Abbas, Iran, between January 1st, 2020, and January 1st, 2022. Demographic factors (age, educational level, residency place, medical insurance, access to prenatal care facilities, smoking status), obstetrical factors (gestational age, parity, new born sex, oligohydramnios, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), abnormal placentation, placenta abruption) and maternal comorbidities (overt diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, drug addiction, hepatitis, anemia, infertility, and COVID-19 at the time of admission) were extracted from electronic data of each mother. The Chi-square test was used to compare differences between the groups for categorical variables. Logistic regression models were used to assess the LBW risk factors.

Results: Of 7440 singleton term deliveries during the study period, 460 (6.2%) were LBW. Maternal age was the only demographic factor that was significantly different between groups. In bivariate analysis, maternal age, parity, new born sex, and preeclampsia were significantly associated with LBW. Mothers at the age of 13-19 aOR 1.97 (CI 1.26-12.98), primiparous mothers aOR 2.44 (CI 2.01-3.17), mothers with female fetus aOR 3.79 (CI 2.13-3.99), and mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia aOR 1.71 (CI 1.35-2.99) were at higher risk of having LBW in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: Significant predictors of LBW were found to be maternal age, parity, new born sex, and preeclampsia. Health care providers should focus on identifying factors to address the problem of LBW.