Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight Babies in Hail Region KSA

Introduction Low birth weight (LBW) means that the weight at birth is less than 2500]. LBW has significant role in neonatal mortality and morbidity [12]. Generally its known that the causes of LBW is multi factorial. Regarding KSA the incidence was found 7.4. Objective Of our study to find out risk factors associated with delivering LBW babies in Hail region KSA like (Maternal age, Education, occupation, monthly income, ANC, Supplementation, maternal smoking, Gestational age, Babies gender, birth order, Previous recurrent miscarriage and Previous history of LBW baby). Methodology the design is case control study, cases are women who delivered babies weigh less than2500 g while control are women who delivered baby weight 2500g. Our data were collected from two hospitals in Hail, maternity and general hospital through structured questionnaire. We collect data from 500 delivered women (200 cases, 300control) during the period from October to December 2015. Analyses Using SPSS, P-value was taken. Results Out of 15 possible risk variables analyzed, 3 were found significant. Baby gender (Pless than0.05), gestational age (P = less than0.05), and passive smoking (P=less than0.05). Conclusion passive smoking, gestational age, and babys gender had significant effect on LBW babies.