Fecal Myeloperoxidase Levels in Pregnant Women and Risk Factors to Low Birth Weight in A Makassar Slum Settlement: A Sub-Study of The Indonesian Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose: Intestinal inflammation can affect the absorption of micronutrients from the bowel, which can lead to maternal malnutrition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to measure fecal myeloperoxi-dase (MPO) levels as a biomarker of inflammation in pregnant women and explore risk factors for low birth weight in the slum area of the Tallo District, Makassar City. Method: This study used a retrospective cohort study design with a purposive sample of 172 pregnant wom-en. Stool specimens were collected and tested using a human myeloperoxidase enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay kit. Data were collected through interviews using the Kobo Toolbox. Result: The median fecal myeloperoxidase level in pregnant women was 24.2 ng/ml. The correlation with low birth weight was insignificant (r =-0.0037, p = 0.96). Based on bivariate analysis, the risk factors significantly associated with low birth weight were first parity (RR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3-6.4), and preterm birth (RR = 3.9 (95% CI: 1.9-8.3), while the multivariate analysis showed that the most significant risk variable for low birth weight was preterm birth (ARR = 4.9 (95% CI: 2.6-9.1). Conclusion: This study found that gestational age at birth was significantly associated with low birth weight in infants. There was no significant association with fecal myeloperoxidase level in the pregnant mother.