The prevalence and related factors of low birth weight

Background and aims:The most common reason in neonatal mortality rate in the world is low birth weight (LBW). The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence and related factors associated in birth weight in Garmsar, Iran in 2013. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 683 live births which delivered in Garmsar in 2013. The required information was collected by examining the health records of pregnant women and completion of the data registration forms. Data collection was controlled by using SPSSand analyzed by using an Independent T-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: According to the results, 32 infants out of 683 infants born in 2013 had low birth weight, i.e. the weight less than 2500g. LBW prevalence estimated in this study was 4.7%. There were significant statistical relations between low birth weight and the variables including number of births, mothers’ occupation and interval of less than 3 years between pregnancies and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Conclusion: Although our results regarding LBW prevalence and risk factors confirm the results of other studies,it was recommended perspective studies to reconfirm the LBW risk factors.