Maternal and Obstetric Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight

  • Dilip Kumar Yadav Shalom Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, India
  • Girija Shankar Shukla School of Health Science, Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj, India
  • Neena Gupta Shalom Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, India
  • Naveen Shrestha CIST College, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Akanksha Singh Shalom Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, India
  • Hari Prasad Kaphle Shalom Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, India

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is a factor associated with perinatal, neonatal and post-neonatal morbidity and mortality and is associated with development of chronic diseases in adulthood. This study aimed to identify the maternal and obstetric factors associated with low birth weight in selected hospitals of Nepal.
Methods: Matched case control study was conducted in two tertiary level hospital of Nepal during May 2017 to April 2018. There were 368 mothers with single full term live low birth weight babies (cases) and 736 mothers with single full term live normal birth weight babies (controls) matched on babies’ gender and place of delivery included in the study. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was used to eliminate the effects of potential confounders and to identify the independent effect of various risk factors associated with low birth weight.
Results: A total of 1104 respondents (1 case : 2 controls) were included in the study. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal height <146 cm [AOR 5.14, (95%CI:2.03-13.01),(p=0.001)], maternal weight ?50 kg [AOR 3.75,(95%CI:2.15-6.56), (p<0.001)], primi-parity [AOR 4.58, (95%CI:1.71-12.25),(p=0.002)], multi-parity [AOR 3.01,(95%CI: 1.11-8.12),(p=0.030)], rest in day time ?2 hours [AOR 3.68, (95%CI: 2.01-6.75),(p<0.001)], rest in night time for <8 hours [AOR 5.76, (95%CI: 2.32-14.33), (p<0.001)], Iron and folic acid consumption for ?60 days [AOR 5.47, (95%CI: 2.73-10.95),(p<0.001)], Iron and folic acid consumption for 61-120 days [AOR 3.04, (95%CI: 1.90-4.87),(p<0.001), no calcium consumption [AOR 3.00, (95%CI: 1.78-5.04),(p<0.001)] were the significant risk factors associated with Low birth weight
Conclusions: Height and weight of women, parity, duration of rest in day time and night time, consumption of Iron and folic acid and calcium were the maternal and obstetric determinants for the occurrence of low birth weight.
Keywords: Birth Weight; case control; low birth weight; maternal and obstetric factors; normal birth weight.

Published
2020-02-17
Section
Original Article