Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Low birth weight as a public health indicator and determinant of perinatal mortality should always
be monitored. Attempts to trace possible risk factors and prevalence of low birth weight should not
be wasted.
OBJECTIVE:
Finding the prevalence of low birth weight in Al-Elwiya maternity teaching hospital in Baghdad in
2011 and 2012 and studying risk factors associated with a sample of low weight neonates born in
the hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Prevalence of low birth weight in Al-Elwiya maternity teaching hospital in 2011 and 2012 was
obtained through reviewing data registered in the hospital′s medical statistics unit and inpatient
medical records unit, while risk factors were traced through conducting a case control comparison
by collecting 100 cases and similar number of controls using direct interview questionnaire with
the mothers who laboured in the hospital.
RESULTS:
The calculated prevalence of low birth weight in Al Elwiya hospital was slightly higher than
the national figure, and the risk factors found statistically significant for low birth weight were;
multiparty, anaemia, urinary tract infection, chest infection, passive smoking and level of education.
While age, antepartum haemorrhage and pregnancy induced hypertension found insignificant.
CONCLUSION:
Prevalence of low birth weight in the hospital is slightly higher than the national figure although
the latter was not published, all factors affecting birth weight were controllable.