Burden and risk factors associated with low birth weight among newborns in a tertiary care hospital Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Birth weight is one of the significant determinants of perinatal survival and infant morbidity and illnesses during early childhood. The burden of LBW neonates in the developed world is around 7%, whereas it is more than double at around 16.5% in developing countries.Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan. Data was extracted through the electronic medical record (EMR) with specific coding related to LBW from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020.Results: Our study showed LBW disease burden of 7.61% equated to 7% in the developed world while, in contrast with LBW prevalence in the developing countries, 16.5%. Gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and primigravida are the major risk factors associated with LBW.Conclusions: Our study concludes that antenatal care is one of the major aspects to decrease the incidence of LBW, especially in primigravida. By estimating LBW, we can plan early detection and prompt interventions against this problem, reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality in neonates.

Risk factors of low birth weight among neonates at A Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi.

“…1 The burden of LBW is roughly 7% in the industrialised world, but it is more than double that in developing nations, at about 16.5%. 2 More than 20 million babies are born underweight (LBW) in the world, which accounts for 15-20% of all births. 3,4 95.6% of them are in developing nations.…”

“…Low birth weight and mortality are negatively correlated; an LBW infant has a 20 times greater chance of dying in the neonatal period than a baby with a birth weight of more than 2500 grammes. 2,6 The most common causes of LBW are infections, maternal malnutrition, smoking, prematurity, multiple pregnancies, high parity, low education, food insufficiency, a lack of antenatal visits, and pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, anaemia, hypothyroidism, and diabetes. 1,7,8 Understanding the primary modifiable risk factors for LBW is crucial for prevention so that health managers and practitioners can develop strategies and put them into practice to promote health.…”