RISK FACTORS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG NEWBORNS ADMITTED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

OBJECTIVE: To enlist the risk factors of low birth weight among low birth weight newborns admitted in Pediatric Ward of Sheikh Zayed Hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A Cross sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION: This study was conducted from 5th to 30th January 2015, in Pediatric Ward of Department of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. METHODOLOGY: Convenient sampling technique, with all the consecutive low birth weight babies, admitted in pediatric ward, during study period, were included. Data collection: Mothers of 56 low birth weight babies admitted in pediatrics ward were interviewed and data analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of mothers was 25±5 years; median family income 10000 Rs, weight of newborn, 1.8±0.4 kg. It was found that 94% babies were premature, 59% mothers were illiterate; 36% fathers were illiterate. Overall 75% belonged to rural areas, 32% mothers were hypertensive and 59% mothers were anemic. We found that 48% had drug history and 64% belonged to Saraiki ethnicity. CONCLUSION: This study enlisted prematurity, low maternal and paternal education, maternal anemia, less duration birth spacing, rural residence, long distance from health facility were main risk factors found among low birth weight babies admitted in pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]