Maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight

Abstract

Objective: To identify the association of maternal bio-social, medical and obstetric risk factors with low birth weight babies. Methodology: Cross sectional descriptive case study. Study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit IV, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. From March 2007 to 20th March 2008. 100 pregnant women at term (between 37-42 weeks) with singleton pregnancy were included in the study. Information regarding maternal, bio-social, medical and obstetric risk factors during pregnancy was recorded on a pre tested proforma. Results: The birth weight of new born was taken as less than 2.5kg. The factors like maternal education (p=0.0280) inter-birth interval (p=0.036), low BMI (p=0.023), Maternal Socio-economic status (p=0.002) had significant effect in causing low birth weight. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that maternal malnutrition, illiteracy, low family income, close birth spacing had strong association with low birth weight. To overcome this problem, special attention is required to strength the mother and child health care services in the community.