Low birth weight and its associated factors among deliveries in Malawi city, Minia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major determinants of perinatal survival, infant morbidity, and mortality as well as the risk of developmental disabilities and illnesses in future. WHO estimates that 25 million LBW babies are born annually worldwide and 95% occur in developing countries. In Egypt, as in many other developing countries, most infant and childhood mortality has been also due to diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, other infectious diseases such as meningitis, neonatal infections and vaccine preventable diseases. These conditions are more critical among LBW children since they are more at risk of premature birth, fetal defects, neonatal complications, deficient immune system and greater exposure to infections. Global nutrition targets set at the World Health Assembly in 2012 include an ambitious 30% reduction in LBW prevalence between 2012 and 2025. Aim of the study: To estimate percentage and risk factors of LBW among population in Mallawy city, Minia, Egypt. Research methodology: This study is prospective cohort study among pregnant females in 3 rd trimester, included 346 participants, recruited from two health centers in Mallawy city. Face to face interview questionnaire was used in data collection. Results: LBW cases consisted 32.4% of all participants. By logistic regression analysis twin pregnancy, hypertension and preterm labor (PTB) were associated with the highest probability to LBW, with AOR= 3.88, 3.43 and 3.30 respectively. Conclusion: working status, passive smoking, short interpregnancy intervals, twin pregnancy, PTB, hypertension, and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy found to be risk factors for LBW. Recommendations: Increase the community awareness of risk factors of the problem. More research on larger populations is necessary for risk assessment and long term consequences of LBW.