Maternal Risk Factors and Low Birth Weight Infants in Khumuang District, Buriram Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between maternal risk factor and low birth weight in infants in Khumuang district, Buriram province. It was conducted as a retrospective case-control study comprising of 80 mothers with low birth weigth infants and 160 mothers of infants with the weigth over 2,500 gram as the control. All samples were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected from electronic data base (HosXP); and statistical analysis was performed by simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regressions at significant level of p–value<0.05, as well as ad-justed odd ratio (Adj.OR) and 95%CI of odd ratio which were used to identify the risk factors influencing low birth weight. The result showed that the risk factor of low birth weight infants was the gestational ages of less than 37 weeks [the adjusted odd ratio equal to 5.85 times (95%CI=1.98-13.32)]. In addition, the level of hematocrit less than 33% also was also another risk factor [the adjusted odd ratio equal to 3.12 times (95%CI=1.47-6.62). The quality of antenatal care espectially nutrition status should be strengthen in order to improve maternal and child health.