The effects of risk factor of pregnancy period on infant’s weight

Abstract Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the most important causes of mortality in newborns, therefore identifying the associated risk factors is of crucial necessity. Objective: To investigate the risk factors among women during the pregnancy leading to delivery of a LBW infants. Methods: This was a case-control study in which the data from 191 infants characteristic of LBW as cases (chosen out of a total of 203) and 199 normal infants as controls were compared . Controls were intentionally chosen to be the next live birth to the LBW infant. Statistical univariate analyses were performed using t-test and χ2 test. Also, Multiple Logistic Regression was employed to identify the risk factors associated with LBW. Findings: Univariate analysis showed that LBW was related to gestational age (p<0.001), mother's weight (p=0.004), mother's higth (p=0.001), mother's age (p=0.040), history of chronic desease in mother (p=0.026), bleeding during pregnancy (p=0.007), mother's education level (p =0.003), and birth order (p=0.047). Logistic Regression (multivariable analysis) revealed that, in presence of all factors, LBW was only associated with gestational age, mother's higth , bleeding durring pregnancy, and the history of chronic desease in mother with odd ratios of 1.77 , 1.90 , 0.60 , 0.66, respectively, Conclusion: Increased gestational age, appropriate management of bleeding durring pregnancy and also of mothers' chronic desease could reduce the chance of LBW.