The association between low birth weight and mothers diseases in Iran: A case-control study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Valadbeigi, T.^a | Tabatabaee, H. Reza^b | Etemad, K.^c | Keyghobadi, N.^d | Mahdavi, S.^a | Enayatrad, M.^e | Saeidinejat, S.^f | Yaghoobi, H.^g | Zolfizadeh, F.^h | Ghasemi, A.ⁱ | Hajipour, M.^{j; *}

Affiliations: [a] Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran | [b] Department of Epidemiology, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | [c] Department of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Faculty of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [d] Department of Biostatistics Epidemiology, Health Faculty, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran | [e] Department of Epidemiology, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran | [f] Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran | [g] Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran | [h] Mother and Child Welfare Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran | [i] Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran | [j] Student research committee, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Mahmoud Hajipour, Student research committee, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 7137251001; E-mail: m.hajipour.13@gmail.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Neonates are too vulnerable that low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth can easily threaten their lives. Demographic, social and environmental factors as well as health care are contributing factors for LBW. The study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran to investigate the association between LBW and mother’s diseases. METHODS:A case-control study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran on 2580 mothers (712 cases and 1868 controls) referred to public health care centers. We used a questionnaire to collect data. For univariate analysis we used chi-square test and for multivariable analysis we used logistic regression model. RESULTS:LBW was significantly associated with living in rural area (OR = 1.4 CI: 1.14–1.71), having body mass index (BMI)<18 (OR = 1.48 CI: 1.14–1.92), being a housewife (OR = 1.65 CI: 1.07–2.53), having high blood pressure (OR = 1.91 CI: 1.26–2.88), and having pregnancy without testing for diabetes (OR = 1.91 CI: 1.44–2.54). Minor thalassemia, hypothyroidism, oral health care and headache were not significant predictors for LBW. CONCLUSION:In this study, we observed that place of residence, BMI before pregnancy, mother’s occupation and gestational diabetes were significant predictors of LBW. It is necessary to improve women’s awareness about prenatal health care before pregnancy to avoid LBW.

Keywords: Mothers’ disease, low birth weight, case-control, Iran

DOI: 10.3233/NPM-180068

Journal: Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 449-456, 2019