Maternal Factors Associated With Low Birth Weight Babies

Abstract

Objective: To determine the obstetric, antenatal, natal and socio-economic factors affecting low birth weight (LBW) babies. Study design and setting: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February2019 till May2019 at Jinnah Medical College hospital Karachi. Methodology: The targeted population was 100 mothers who recently delivered their babies and were present in the hospital during postpartum period. Variables included obstetric history, maternal risk factors, socioeconomic status and education of parents. Weight of the neonates was noted by the doctors within 24 hours of birth. Data was analysed on SPSS version 21. Results: Variables having significant and positive influence on LBW were; age, activity and occupation of mother, age at first pregnancy, no. of pregnancies, maternal anemia. The 48% of low birth weight babies were present in mothers belonging to younger age group (18-20 years). The incidence of low birth weight increases with increased number of pregnancies, women with greater than 3 pregnancies had 18% of 1.6-2kg of weight of babies, 12% of 2.1-2.5kg of weight, 10% of 1.1- 1.5kg of weight. Mother’s with poor diet had 36% of 2.1-2.5kg of weight. Women with high activity during pregnancy having 53% of 1.6-2kg of weight babies. Regarding occupation 40% of housewife’s risks of 1.6-2kg weight of baby with p-value of <0.05 as activity during pregnancy was high. Conclusion: Factors like younger age women, multi-parity, increased physical activity maternal diet, anemia due to nutritional deficiencywere contributed to low birth weight babies.