Background: Reducing the incidence of Low birth weight (LBW) neonates by at least one third between 2000 and 2010 is one of the major goals of the United Nations resolution "A World Fit for Children". This was a case-control study conducted between August-October 2009 in Medani Hospital, Sudan to investigate the risk factors for LBW. Cases were mothers who delivered singleton baby < 2500 gm. Controls were mothers delivered singleton baby of ≥ 2500 gm. Findings: Out of 1224 deliveries, 97 (12.6%) of the neonates were LBW deliveries. While maternal socio-demographic characteristics (age, parity and mother education) and anthropometrics measurements were not associated with LBW, lack of antenatal care (OR = 5.9, 95% CI = 1.4-24.4; P = 0.01) and maternal anaemia (OR = 9.0, 95% CI = 3.4-23.8; P < 0.001) were the main risk factor for LBW. Conclusion: Thus, more care on antenatal care and nutrition may prevent LBW.

This study was conducted between April and June 2008 in the labour ward of Elfasher Hospital in western Sudan to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for low birthweight (LBW; <2500g). Among 430 singleton births, 64 (14.9%) of the neonates had LBW. Although maternal sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were not associated with LBW, maternal anaemia was the main risk factor for LBW (odds ratio: 5.1, 95% CI 1.7-15.2; P=0.003). Thus more attention to maternal nutrition and the prevention of anaemia may prevent LBW in this setting.