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Maternal factors associated with low birth weight at a hospital in Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract:

Introduction: Low birth weight constitutes one of the most common public health problems both nationally in Ecuador and worldwide, due to the association with the increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the incidence and maternal factors associated with neonates with low birth weight in the neonatology area at José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital in Cuenca, Ecuador. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in 198 neonates and their mothers in the Neonatology area at José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital. Newborns with less than 2500 grams were considered underweight. Data were expressed in absolute and relative frequencies. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to establish the relationship between low neonatal weight and maternal risk factors, and chi-square statistic (X2) was used to establish the relationship. A value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The incidence of newborns with low birth weight was 11.1%. In the statistical analysis, the associated factors were low weight gain during pregnancy (p = 0.001) and the number of pregnancies (p = 0.03). No significant association was observed between low birth weight and the number of prenatal check-ups, the intergenetic period, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and the presence of other diseases in the gestational period. Conclusions: The number of cases of neonates with low birth weight were similar to those found in other studies. The true associated factors were low weight gain during pregnancy and the number of pregnancies.