Relationship between low-birth weight and maternal predisposing factors

Abstract EN

Low birth weight (LBW) of 2500 g and less causes high incidence in infant morbidity.

and mortality.

Therefore it is of particular importance to develop strategies for it's prevention.It's believed that there are many maternal predisposing factors to LBW.

This study aims at disclosing some of these maternal factors.

grouped under Socio- cultural, biological and obstetrical and medical care .

A questionnaire form developed by the authers according to which, mothers of fifty LBW babies in Diwaniya were interviewed.

Among the important findings were of mothers ages ranged between 20 and 30 years.

- 74% of them were housewives.

-46% of them were uneducated.

- 54% of them have consanguinity with their husbands.

-90% of them did not suffer from any chronic diseases.

- 92% did not smoke cigarettes.

-90% took drugs during their pregnancy like antibiotics, antihypertensive.

sedative etc ; - 82% of them were under medical supervision.

60% of them were registered in the maternal and child health center.

40% of the registered mothers were registered during the first trimester of their pregnancy.

The main recommendations were Inclusion Of topic of LBW in the program of health education for the mothers.

The other recommendation was to carryout wider studies to evaluate the quality and quantity of maternal care in the MCH centers.