Low Birth Weight and Associated Factors among Newborn Babies - A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Mortality and morbidity rate of low-birth-weight babies are major public health concerns worldwide. The main objective of this study was to determine the associated factors that are related to low birth weight.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2021 to December 2021 among 208 mothers who delivered babies in two tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka city. Data were collected by using a pretested semi-structured interview-guided questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 23 version software.

Results: Significant associations were found between the low birth weight and some factors: babies delivered in rural areas (p=0.021), less educated mothers (p=0.018), and mothers having a low monthly income (p=0.007). Moreover, birth weight of the neonates was significantly associated with the number of antenatal visits (p=0.016) and intake of nutritional supplements by the mothers in last pregnancy (p=0.000). The mothers who took nutritional supplements in their last pregnancy had a lower proportion to deliver LBW (40%) that were significantly associated with nutritional status and birth weight (p=0.000). The mothers having low BMI had a higher rate of delivering LBW neonates (75%). A significant positive correlation was found between BMI of the mother and birth weight of the index child (r=0.243, p<0.001).

Conclusion: These study findings will guide us in paying special attention to the associated risk factors of low birth weight that will assist to formulate an intervention to prevent LBW by improving antenatal care and overall maternal health.