title: Preventable risk factors for the delivery of very low birth weight infants in Richmond, Virginia.
abstract: Our aim was to identify preventable risk factors for very low birth weight (VLBW) in our urban patient population in order to target intervention programs toward those areas. Retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who delivered VLBW infants between March 1, 1995 and February 28, 1996 at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. VLBW patients were then compared with mothers who delivered infants >1,500 g during the same period. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. P value <.05 was considered significant. Of the 77 study patients identified as having delivered VLBW infants, 42% had a preventable risk factor for VLBW. 31% were smokers, 14% were cocaine users, and 10% had no prenatal care. Cigarette smoking and substance abuse are major preventable risk factors for VLBW in our patient population. Efforts to reduce VLBW in our community should focus on reducing tobacco and illicit substance use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
authors.forename: L M.
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: M J.
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dinsmoor
authors.forename: P Y.
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin