Abstract: Objective: Birth weight (BW) is associated with increased risk of perinatal mortality when < 2.5kg. Despite the underlying role of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors of unclear proportionate distribution, reduction of the global burden remains a priority. This study analyses maternal and environmental factors influencing BW.
Methodology: This analytical cross sectional review inferentially compared parturients who delivered singleton babies with BW above or below < 2.5kg across hypothesized risk variables. A total 4,027 singleton live births, from 2015 to 2020 were retrospectively studied.
Results: The overall mean BW was 3.05kg ± 0.4. About 90% of babies weighed 2.5-3.9kg, 5.9% weighed < 2.5kg while 3.8% weighed ≥ 4kg. Adolescent parturients (21.9%) recorded the highest prevalence of BW < 2.5kg. Urban and peri-urban residents recorded a comparatively lower prevalence of BW < 2.5kg. Primiparous parturients recorded a lower mean BW and a commensurately higher prevalence of BW < 2.5kg. Mean Hb concentration was higher among parturients with babies weighing ≥ 2.5kg while mean systolic and diastolic BP were inversely lower among this same category of parturients. Maternal adolescence (POR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.6), rural residence (POR=2.0, 95% CI=1.15-3.5), primiparity (POR=2.4, 95% CI=1.4-4.0), prematurity (POR=8.4, 95% CI=4.7-14.9) and early term (POR=2.4, 95% CI=1.4-4.2) increased risk for BW < 2.5kg.
Conclusion: Efforts to reverse adolescent pregnancy rates, (inextricably linked to high risk for BW < 2.5kg and prematurity), should be enhanced. Research to further investigate mechanisms underlying the role of primiparity, maternal hemoglobin concentration and maternal gestational or chronic hypertension should be prioritized.
Keywords: Birth weight, factors, maternal, environmental.
Title: A Health Facility-based Analytical cross sectional Assessment of Factors Influencing Birth weight in Kwaebibirem
Author: Brainard Ayisi Asare, Grace Asare
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 2, April 2022 - June 2022
Page: 1-12
Research Publish Journals
Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 18-May-2022
