Prevalence of Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth and the Influential Factors in Zanjan, Iran (۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۶)

Background: The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) has been estimated at ۱۵.۵%, and approximately ۱۵ million preterm births (PTB) occur across the world. These rates have been reported to be ۹% and ۹.۲% in Iran, respectively. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of LBW and PTB and compare their influential factors in Zanjan province, Iran during ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۶. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on ۴۱,۲۶۵ neonates (stillbirth and alive) in Zanjan province and suburbs. Data were collected using the registries of the midwives in charge of the maternal and neonatal registry system. Data analysis was performed in Excel and SPSS version ۱۶ using descriptive and analytical tests, including the univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of LBW and PTB was ۷.۲% and ۸.۲%, respectively. Odds ratio of LBW was lower with increased parity (OR=۰.۷۳۶; P<۰.۰۰۱) and gestational age (OR=۲.۵۷۰; P<۰.۰۰۱), while it was higher in female neonates (OR=۱.۳۲۴; P<۰.۰۰۱) and infants with congenital malformations (OR=۲.۵۷۰; P=۰.۰۰۱). Odds ratio of PTB was higher with increased abortions (OR=۱.۲۰۶; P<۰.۰۰۱) and in male neonates (OR=۱.۴۴۰; P<۰.۰۰۱), while it was lower with increased birth weight (OR=۰.۹۹۶; P<۰.۰۰۱). Maternal underlying diseases and diabetes reduced the odds ratio of LBW (OR=۰.۶۳۳; P=۰.۰۱۹) and increased the odds ratio of PTB (OR=۳.۶۵۰; P<۰.۰۰۱). Moreover, preeclampsia and eclampsia increased the odds ratio of LBW (OR=۳.۱۴۰; P<۰.۰۰۱) and PTB (OR=۱.۴۸۹; P=۰.۰۰۵). In terms of social factors, maternal education level decreased the odds ratio of LBW (P<۰.۰۵). The prevalence of PTB increased by ۲۲.۸% in ۲۰۱۵ compared to the previous year (P=۰.۰۱۲). Conclusion: According to the results, congenital malformations, gender, gestational age, birth weight, maternal education level, and maternal underlying diseases were significantly correlated with LBW and PTB. Therefore, improving maternal and neonatal health requires proper planning to control the influential factors in LBW and PTB.  

Keywords:

low birth weight , neonatal outcomes , preterm birth , risk factors , Zanjan , Iran