Frequency of Low Birth Weight and its Relationship With Maternal Nutritional and Dietary Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is linked with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity; also it can slow down growth and cognitive development. Several factors contribute to pregnancy outcomes, including LBW deliveries, maternal nutrition, and additional dietary intake. Our study was aimed to identify the frequency and factors associated with LBW mothers in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Department of Hamdard Hospital, Karachi. A total of 195 healthy pregnant females were enrolled. All the relevant data were collected from March 1st, 2019 to August 31st, 2019 with the help of a structured questionnaire designed specifically for the study where mothers were also asked about consumption of iron, vitamin, and extra meals since they became pregnant. Written, informed consent was taken from all of the participants before data collection. Data analysis was performed using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. A Chi-square test was used for checking associations between the studied maternal factors and the weight of the children. Results: There was a total of 195 pregnant females selected for the study. The frequency of LBW infants was found to be 57 (29.2%) in these women. The mean age of the females was 29.29 ± 5.22 years, 142 (72.8%) of them had a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m(2) or more, 102 (52.3%) of them had hemoglobin (Hb) between 10 and 11 mg/dL. The study results further showed that maternal Hb (p=0.02), vitamin C intake (p=0.037), iron intake (p=0.01), and consumption of extra meals during pregnancy (p=0.021) were significantly associated with a LBW of the children. Mothers whose Hb <10 mg/dL, no intake of vitamin C, or iron, and extra meals during pregnancy were more likely to have a child with LBW than others. Conclusion: It can be concluded that maternal nutritional and dietary factors are very important during fetal development, and they have a significant relationship with the birth weight.