Risk factors associated with delivering low birth weight infants among pregnant women: A preliminary study in Western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was maintained to identify the risk factors associated with delivering Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants among pregnant women in Makkah area. Two groups were recruited in this study; mothers who delivered LBW infants (MLBW) and mothers who delivered normal birth weight infants (MNBW). Participants were chosen from two hospitals in Makkah; Al-Noor Specialty Hospital and Children and Maternity Hospital. Mothers' ages were chosen between 20-40 years old. Data were collected from medical files and structured questionnaire from 183 delivered women (MNBW n = 92, MLBW n = 91). No significant differences were found in mother's age, weight, height, BMI, family income, mother's education and occupation between two groups. Also, chronic diseases, placenta problem, previous LBW, previous pregnancies and age at first pregnancy all didn't show any effect on LBW. MLBW showed significantly (p<0.05) lower fruits as well as milk and dairy products intake than MNBW. Also, tea intake of MLBW group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the other group. The most probable risk factors associated with delivering LBW were related to multiple births as twins (OR = 6.47, (CI: 1.05-39.89), p = 0.044), smoking (OR = 5.73, (CI: 2.23-14.74), p = 0.040) and lower fruits intake than nutritional recommendation (OR = 0.30, (CI: 0.09-1.06), p= 0.042). Odds ration showed no significant results for high tea intake and low milk and dairy products intake. In conclusion, the main risk factors associated with delivering LBW infants in Makkah area were multiple births, smoking and low fruits intake. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information.