Maternal under-nutrition and anaemia factors associated with low birth weight babies in Yemen

Abstract

Contributing risk factors are many and varied to obstetric, medical and nutritional factors. Studies from the world have reported that birth interval, maternal height, age, BMI during pregnancy, gestational age, family income, malaria, infectious disease, female infant, and history of clampsia and/or placenta previa are more likely to ABSTRACT Background: Low birth weight is one of the main contributors to very high infant and under-five mortality rates in developing countries. The study aimed to identify the predicting risk factors for LBW in Yemen. Methods: An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2014 to March 2015 and September 2015 to January 2016. Study procedures have included completing a questionnaire, maternal measurement of mid upper arm circumference, testing for haemoglobin level in mothers and weighing all targeted neonates. Descriptive, cross tabling and binary logistic regression analyses were used. Results: A total of 585 mother-neonate pairs were interviewed and examined for LBW and the associated risk factors. Logistic regression analysis identified three significant independent predicting factors; maternal under-nutrition (odds ratio (OR) 11.4, 95% CI 3.8-35.2), maternal anemia (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.5-18.6) and rural residents (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.7). Conclusions: Incidence of LBW in these communities was high. Maternal under-nutrition, maternal anaemia and rural settlements were significantly associated with babies with low weight at birth. There is a need for continued focus on maternal nutrition at the time of conception and during pregnancy both for the optimum feto-maternal health and national development.

Factors associated with low birthweight among newborns delivered at public health facilities of Nekemte town, West Ethiopia: a case control study

“…Furthermore, our study reviled that anaemic mothers had higher odds to deliver LBW neonates, consistent with a study in Yemen [12]. Micronutrient deficiency during pregnancy has been shown to have serious implications on the developing foetus and hence, birthweight.…”

“…A recent study done in India has reported that maternal age (< 19 years), rural residence, maternal weight (< 45 kg), gestational age (< 37 weeks), bad obstetric history and Pregnancy-induced hypertension have a strong association with low birthweight. A number of studies have shown correlates of infant’s maternal nutritional status, young maternal age, bad obstetric history, maternal anemia and rural settlements, antenatal care received, prematurity, the birth interval with low birthweight [12–29]. However, the majority of these studies did not address maternal nutritional status and maternal dietary practices.…”

Determinants of Low Birth Weight Among Newborn Delivered At Public Hospital in Silte Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Case Control Study

“…Moreover, the current study showed that mothers with low level of hemoglobin were 1.03 times at risk to deliver LBW babies compared to mothers who had normal hemoglobin. This nding is consistent with other studies [16,19,20]. Mothers who did not receive iron folate and with low level of hemoglobin during pregnancy was more prone to give birth to LBW babies in Yemen [19].…”

Review of the nutrition situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…This is of concern given that LBW children tend to have higher rates of subnormal growth, illnesses, neurodevelopmental problems and cognitive defects (123,124). In the Region, LBW may be linked, in many instances, to poor maternal health and prenatal conditions, such as poverty, crowded home environments, unfavourable work conditions (125), infections, short interpregnancy intervals, maternal obesity, smoking and poorer nutrition including anaemia (126,127), and rural residence (127).…”