Incidence and risk factors for low birth weight among term singletons at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

Low birth weight (less than 2500g) is a cause of increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the incidence of and risk factors associated with delivery of low birth weight singletons at term at UBTH, Benin City.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a review of retrospective data extracted from the case records of all booked parturients who had low birth weight singletons at term at the Teaching Hospital over a four-year period. Booked parturients just before and after each case who had normal birth weight infants at term served as controls.

RESULTS

Term low birth weight singletons constituted 3.4% of the 4735 term deliveries at the UBTH Benin City. Six parameters were found to have significant association with term low birth weight delivery. Birth interval of less than 2 years lost this association after controlling for confounding variables. Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy was the most significant risk factors isolated. Others were nulliparity, social classes IV and V, and maternal anaemia.

CONCLUSION

Low birth weight in term infants is a major determinant of neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. All isolated risk factors but nulliparity are amenable to antenatal management.