Low birthweight delivery: Prevalence and associated factors as seen at a tertiary health facility

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight deliveries are major causes of a huge health burden on poor economies around the globe. It is even more worrisome in developing countries.
Materials and Methods: The obstetric records of all low birth weight (LBW) deliveries were reviewed from 1st June 2005 to 30th May 2009.
Results: The prevalence of LBW deliveries was 8.3%. Of the LBW babies, 68.4% were preterm, 53.6% were small for gestational age (SGA) and 12.6% were products of multiple gestations. Predominant factors associated with LBW delivery included nulliparity, low parities (1 and 2), parturient aged 25.35 years (80.6%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and short birth spacing (84.4%).
Conclusion: Most LBW babies were preterm delivered by low parity parturient aged 25-35 years with short inter.pregnancy intervals. Effective family planning and antenatal services provided particularly for these categories of potential parturient could help to curb the incidence.

Key words: Associated factors, low birth weight, prevalence